This Ganesh Utsav, try something different! Make your very own Ganesh idol at home! Making your own clay Ganesha is a fantastic, eco-friendly alternative to purchasing Ganesha murtis made from materials that may cause water pollution during Visarjan. What all will you need: • Camel Modelling Clay • Artist’s Acrylic Colour 12 Assorted Colours Set • Toothpick • Cutouts of clothes Follow the following steps to create your idol Dividing the clay: Take the modeling clay in your hand and divide it into proportions for different body parts of Ganesha. Make the stomach and the base: Flatten the modeling clay you set aside for the base, like you would roll out a roti. Flatten the clay in such a way that it can hold the rest of the idol in place. Insert a toothpick in the middle of this modeling clay base, to hold the stomach in place. This will ensure that the structure stays in place even after drying. Use water to add a little moisture wherever necessary, while shaping your clay. Make the legs: Roll two pieces of modeling clay for making legs. Lightly press at the bottom of the legs to make the shape of feet. Make the hands : Connect the legs to the stomach and the pedestal using toothpicks. Press these into place well enough so that the joints are not visible. Once you are satisfied with the way these parts are securely connected together, roll out the shapes of arms out of the modeling clay set aside for the same. Connect the hands to the body : Bend the pieces at the end slightly to give the shape of hands. The arms: Attach the arms to the body. The head of Ganesha: Roll the modeling clay into a round shape for the head. Place the head on the body. The ears and trunk of Ganesha: Shape two pieces of modeling clay to make the ears. Take the clay and shape it into a trunk. Decorating the Ganesh idol: To make the crown, first roll out the modeling clay like a roti, about 6 cm in diameter. Once you are done rolling it out, use tools like a pen cap, and a toothpick to make patterns on the crown. Allow this to dry. Place it on the Ganesh idol with some wet clay. Set the idol aside to dry off.