11 Ganesh Chaturthi Eco-Friendly Celebration Ideas

2. Make a Reusable Cloth Mandap

A cloth mandap is bright, respectful, and useful for many festivals throughout the year. Instead of a single-use plastic or foam structure, use a simple bamboo or tension rod frame and drape old sarees, dupattas, or checked lungis for colour. This saves money and removes bulky waste. Tie the fabric with jute twine or cotton rope so the setup can be taken down without damage and stored in a labelled box for next year. Add a felt backing or a thin plywood base if you want a tidy silhouette on a balcony. For a quick lifting trick, pin lightweight fairy lights to the cloth and hide cords behind a border of marigold strings or banana leaves. The look is homely, like a wedding corner from Dadi’s memory, and it encourages family members to hand down fabrics rather than buy new ones. When the festival ends, fold and store the fabrics in a dry place or repurpose them as reusable gift wraps, offering a second life that keeps the celebration circular and thoughtful.