Your girl is as Calcuttan as they come. I lived in Kolkata for a majority of my life and so October was synonymous with dhaak, midnight pandal hopping, and pujo. Durga Puja is the celebration of Maa Durga and her family. It is the song of victory of the righteous over evil. And we Calcuttans are known for our over the top and artistic celebrations of the festivals. Many say our city is decked up like an Indian bride on her wedding day for the ten days of Pujo.
But as I entered the sustainability scene, I began to wonder- are pujo celebrations sustainable? Now, by this time, I had moved from Kolkata. So, I reached out to my friend Sorbani Bhowmik, who is both a Calcuttan and a student of public policy in the sustainability sphere, to learn about this. After all, we need just beyond my personal opinions on this blog. And the best part is that Sorbani’s family hosts pujo every year too- so she had some great insights.
Ready to learn how to have a sustainable Durga Puja celebration?
Travel and Pandals
Traveling to Kolkata
If unlike me, you are traveling to Kolkata this Durga Puja, trains are the most sustainable option. If you must take a flight, book in advance to save on budget, because girl we are all broke in this economy, and pick one with less emissions. But I think, by the time this blog goes live, it’ll be too late for that. Thus, I present to you the imperfectly sustainable option of offsetting your carbon emissions.
But that’s for reaching Kolkata.
Yes, you can stay in guest houses, at friend’s home, or look for a green hotel- but what about traveling to the pandals?
Traveling to the Pandals
Thing is, when I was younger, we mostly travelled to pandals by car. Which meant, we had to stop, as Sorbani pointed out, at least a full kilometer away and walk to the interior of the pandal. Cars aren’t the most sustainable, we know that. While carpooling is an option, Sorbani has shared some more. These include electric rickshaws, everyday rickshaws, electric autos, metros, trains, and travel-by-water. The last, she says, is particularly good for those who prefer not to walk as it takes you directly to the pandal possible.
And these ferries aren’t diesel based, which makes them sustainable according to Sorbani. I would wonder, if they use coal instead. If they use oars though, they are eco-friendly.
But beyond travel, Sorbani said, she noticed a lot of plastic waste when she went to visit pandals, which she thinks needs to be tackled. As always, plastic-free options are the solution. These are carrying your own dabbas or tiffin, using reusable water bottles, and carrying reusable bags.
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For vendors, we need to support a return to banana leaves and salpattas to serve food as opposed to plastic or thermacol plates.
But the question is- are the pandals themselves sustainable?
The Pandals
Now the Bengal government is stringent when it comes to pandals, she says. They do not allow you to use polyester-based idols, and there are laws around proper disposal of clay idols and their wooden structures. This is true even for small pandals.
While some pandals are use new gold jewellery for the Goddess every year, many prefer clay jewellery or reusable city-gold. The latter isn’t always an option because according to priests, the jewellery should be buried but Sorbani’s family still does it. They also use cotton sarees for their Goddess as well.
And for serving the prasad they use reusable plastic plates, bananas leaves, and sal patta. Though, they prefer people who get their own dabbas.
Do all pandals follow this?
No.
But this can be a roadmap for many.
The problem Sorbani says is in the paints used to paint the idols and the sindoor or vermillion. While organic paint can be used, which is less polluting than the conventional variety, it might be too expensive for an 8ft. idol. However, many Kolkata pandals have shifted to that.
And when it comes to sindoor, Sorbani says she is yet to find a green and non-toxic option. Yes, it is possible to make sindoor and colour using petals at home. And they are organic toxin-free varieties available in sustainable stores. Yet, the problem remains. For it is one of lack of awareness. People do not know sindoor can be eco-friendly and non-toxic. Thus, they continue to prefer the cheaper non-sustainable variety.
Other than trying to shift to ethical and eco-friendly sindoor, though, what can you do? You have got a clay goddess dressed in a recycled or upcycled cotton saree for your pujo. Or even a cotton saree, if that is more viable. Yes, it is water-intensive and chock full of pesticides. Yet, Pallavi Srivastav of Our Better Planet says that conventional cotton is more sustainable than plastic. Yes, this is not being true in case of reusable plastics when compared to tote bags. But cotton’s biodegradable properties can be considered for one-time use materials. It also does not release microplastics when washed and worn, despite needing to be redyed often.
The question remains, what more can you do?
Pujo Shopping and Home Décor
Now I am not going to be the one to say you can shop less or thrift this pujo. That is up to you. I would say though, if possible, you can shop slow and sustainable. From home décor to buying new clothes, if you are indulging in the tradition of wearing new clothing and accessories, ensure you do not overconsume. Buy what adds value to your life and buy it as sustainable as possible, if not second-hand. For your home, you can try sustainable décor tips like using sustainable lamps and soya wax candles and diyas over paraffin wax candles.
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For the puja samagri, you can use reusable utensils and puja thalis, like Sorbani’s family does. In case of dhoop or incense, try to go for non-toxic sustainable ones. The air will be safer for everyone. And remember, get clay or sustainable idols. Otherwise, you can learn the proper rituals needed to keep an idol throughout the year- if that’s advised.
But pujo is beyond shopping, pandal hopping, and rituals. It is also a celebration of culture and one part of that is food. You might not feel the need or have the ability to stop loud speakers playing hymns and songs to welcome the goddess. But food waste? It can be avoided.
Food for the Festival
Sorbani says that the traditional pujo fare at her house is vegetarian. At my place, I tend to find ways to make traditional dishes and boog, plant-based and local as far as I can. It is of course, seasonal. You can try these tricks and make sure you do not make excess food. Make enough that you can feast, share with those less fortunate, and your community if needed, but try to ensure none of it goes to the waste bin.
Yet, sometimes we end up making too much- what to do then?
As I mentioned, we can always donate food or give it to temples for prasad.
But if it’s food already gone bad? Or one that is already on your plate and thus cannot be presented to divinity? And no one wants to eat it?
Well then, you can look for sustainable waste disposal methods.
Disposal of Puja Samagri and Waste Food
For food waste, you can compost it, of course. This compost then can be used in a variety of ways from your garden to being given to the local gardener. But what about the “organic” flowers you go to decorate your temple? The garlands put on the Goddess?
Well, Sorbani says, it is unlikely that you will find organic and sustainable flowers. Thus, it is necessary to buy from trusted local vendors. It also helps reduce transport emissions.
And once the flowers wilt or their purpose is finished, you can always compost them or make bioenzyme from them. Even the clay you get from visarjan, can be used in compost, according to Sorbani, who has her own garden.
A Parting Note
Every year we welcome the goddess. From holi to rakhi, I try to celebrate festivals in a sustainable manner and realistically. These were Sorbani and my tips to help you avoid waste and pollution this Durga Puja.
What do you do for Pujo? Let us know in the comments! And of course, don’t forget to mention, if you have tried to make your pujo habits greener this 2023.
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Updated- 06/10/2023
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