This past year, we have all prayed for healing and well being. Our health depends deeply on the health of our environment and this includes the health of every living being that shares the planet with us.

As Nature continues to correct the ways of the human species through various events, 2021 is particularly significant in reminding us of how deeply we are connected to all the other living beings around us - from a virus to an elephant - we are all intimately intricately interconnected. 

This year , eCoexist brings to you a stunning range of Nisargaraya Eco Ganesh idols - which will not only restore your faith in the wisdom of the Natural Universe, but also enable financial support to several artisans and self help groups. 

As we expect the ban on Plaster of Paris idols, to be fully implemented this year, eCoexist has been exploring several natural and biodegradable materials including Cow dung, Red earth, Natural Clay and Paper Mache . 

This year, let us hold the intention of healing - ourselves and our natural environment by making conscious choices. 

ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्धमहे, वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि,
तन्नो दन्ति प्रचोदयात्॥

Aum Ekadantaya Viddhamahe, Vakratundaya Dhimahi,
Tanno Danti Prachodayat॥

Meaning:

We pray to the one with the single-tusk who is omnipresent. We meditate upon and pray for greater intellect to the Lord with the curved, elephant-shaped trunk. We bow before the one with the single-tusk to illuminate our minds with wisdom.

At the beginning of our work on the Eco Ganesh campaign the effort was to move artisans and customers, away from the use of Plaster of Paris back to the traditional material of natural clay ( shaadu Maati). However we were well aware that natural clay being a non renewable resource could not be the final solution to the campaign. We have already been making idols out of Paper Mache and Cow Dung - and this year we are adding two more materials to the list - Red Earth and Recycled Clay. 

RED EARTH - is soil taken from agricultural land that can easily be put back where it was taken from and retains its fertility as it is not baked. Plants and trees can be grown in this soil which is not as clayey in consistency.

RECYCLED CLAY - To counter the increase in use of natural clay that is expected when PoP is stopped, we are launching a process of recollection and recycling of natural clay after the visarjan is complete. This will ensure that fresh stocks of clay are not mined and that a closed loop is created with the same clay. We have two designs this year made from such renewed clay - we call them the Punaravartan series. 

Along with the Eco Ganeshas , to minimise the use of plastic and thermocol for decorations eCoexist has been designing and promoting several eco accessories made of paper and fabrics. We also are collating some amazing natural products to be used as pooja samagri - which include Natural Kumkum, and this year - Gorvara - cow dung cakes, handmade for home use  at the Vinoba Bhave Janmasthal in Gagode, Raigad. 

The accessories are made by the village women of Ahwalwadi who have been struggling during Covid as some of their husbands have lost their jobs. 

From 24 May to 24 June we are offerring an EARLY BIRD discount of 5% for all Pre Orders recieved during this month. Your early orders will help us support the artisans with advances to help them continue the production process and reassure them of a market for their work. 

In 2017, eCoexist invited our network to start a tradition of offerring contributions to support wild elephant populations in India. Less than 30,000 elephants exist in Indian landscapes today and we really need to protect this living form of Sri Ganesha from extinction. While our faith deepens, we can put aside part of our budget for the Ganesh festival to offer to this cause. 

eCoexist has tied up with the Assam Haathi Project and each year collects funds for their work. We invite you to donate generously to this effort.