QUEPEM, Sept. 8 -- The Chari brothers from Ambaulim in Quepem are keeping their ancestral tradition of making eco-friendly Ganesh idols alive, crafting the idols entirely from natural mud and colouring them with pure, natural water-based colours.

For several years, the brothers have continued the traditional craft alongside their regular jobs. Every year, they make around 40 Ganesh idols, dedicating considerable time and effort to preserving the environmentally friendly practice passed down through generations.

The brothers said they receive government grants to support their work, but the assistance is currently insufficient to meet the rising cost of raw materials.

With the government banning the use of Plaster of Paris (PoP) for Gan...