{
  "id": 13143525,
  "title": "Thane Breaks 37-Year-Old Tradition, Embraces Eco-Friendly Navratri Celebrations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/thane-breaks-37-year-old-tradition-embraces-eco-friendly-navratri",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T14:33:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/thane-breaks-37-year-old-tradition-embraces-eco-friendly-navratri-celebrations"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Thane, October 9, 2026 - Thane has taken a historic step towards eco-friendly celebrations by moving away from the 37-year-old tradition of using Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols during Navratri. Local organisers are now embracing innovative, sustainable materials to create a 10-foot-tall idol of Goddess Lakshmi. This change marks a significant shift from the conventional clay or eco-friendly alternatives that were previously considered too heavy. Artisan Mangesh Pandit has successfully developed a 10-foot-tall idol using a mixture of pulverised cardboard packaging waste, Shadu clay, and edible gum. This eco-conscious alternative is not only lightweight but also biodegradable, proving that large-scale public idols can be both environmentally safe and structurally convenient. The Kopari Young Boys Sports Mandal is leading this green initiative, breaking a 37-year-old ritual and registering to install the eco-friendly idol this year. This move comes after a successful eco-friendly Ganeshotsav, and the community hopes to expand environmental consciousness throughout Navratri celebrations.",
  "summary": "Thane, October 9, 2026: In a significant stride towards sustainable festive celebrations, Thane is witnessing a unique eco-friendly initiative for the upcoming Navratrotsav. In a historic shift, local organisers are breaking an over 30-year ritual of using Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols, championing a green transformation that replaces conventional, non-biodegradable materials with innovative…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}