In Mumbai, local artists are finding innovative ways to repurpose flowers used during the Ganpati festival. This initiative includes creating beautiful coasters and jewelry from resin-encased petals, as well as producing aromatic dhoop from leftover puja blossoms. These efforts not only reflect a growing commitment to sustainability but also showcase the artistic talent within the community. By transforming what would otherwise be waste into treasured items, these creators are raising awareness about environmental impact and the importance of recycling in the arts.
So, I decided to preserve those flowers and cherish them for a lifetime,” she says. I am happy this allows me to keep some of these precious nirmalya flowers forever,” she says. For designer and stylist Kin Bathija from Andheri, the idea came from seeing flowers used during the festivities being discarded. “I have always thought of this. Every year after Ganpati celebrations, my heart used to break seeing the puja and decoration flowers being discarded. They are a part of the prayers, rituals, celebrations and memories that make the festival so special. This year, Bathija used the flowers to create a naturally dyed dupatta. She has also experimented with saris, handkerchiefs, stoles and cushion covers. Whether pressed, preserved, turned into décor or made into dhoop, these flowers can live on beyond the festival — carrying memories of faith and celebration while finding a new purpose. Artist and homemaker Shilpa Patil from Mulund takes a simpler approach – she dries and presses flowers from her family’s puja. “I researched online and found out all about pressing flowers. She also sees an environmental reason for doing so. “The environmental reason for this is strong too. Official guidelines prohibit immersing flowers, garlands and decorative material in natural water bodies. So, I like preserving some of it instead of throwing it all into a nirmalya kalash.”
