Today ‘eco-friendly’ Ganesh idols are made from paper mache. This is not only against scriptures but also dangerous to the environment because paper mache absorbs oxygen from water resulting in production of methane, a poisonous gas.
Sculpting idols from clay as prescribed by the scriptures is truly environment friendly. Main objective of worshipping Ganesh idol is that the family derives the Ganesh principle from it.
This benefit cannot be derived from an idol made from Plaster of Paris. If you are buying an idol made from Plaster of Paris simply because it is cheaper, then buy a smaller clay idol but do not perform an action against dharma by buying a Plaster of Paris idol.
A Ganesh idol is worshipped at home to increase one’s spiritual emotion and devotion and to absorb divine consciousness etc.
One should never compromise with the principles laid down by the scriptures.
