Prayagraj: In a first, volunteers of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has set a target of preparing 25,000 diyas of cow dung along with 10,000 idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi in a gaushala (goshala) in Bahria block in Trans-Ganga pocket of Prayagraj district.
VHP regional secretary (gaurkaha) Lal Mani Tiwari told TOI, “This is the first time that VHP gaushala will make around 25,000 diyas and 10,000 idols of deities at the ‘Shri Prem Gaushala Anusandhan Trust’ in village Nari of Bahria block. We have engaged three self-help groups, around 33 women workers to make diyas and idols and the production has already started.”
“If the trial is successful, we will start production of diyas and idols in other gaushalas from next year,” Tiwari said.
“Eco-friendly cow dung diyas and idols have been in trend since last year and many people have taken them as a green way of celebrating the festival of lights and sound. Now, citizens are giving up on earthen diyas and instead rooting for diyas made of cow dung as they see it as a way to empower gaushalas and local communities,” he said.
Tiwari said that “if the sale of diyas and idols goes well, it will help the Gaushala officials in better maintenance of the cows. These diyas will be made manually by women self-help groups and gaushala owners.
Usually, many people in rural areas buy cow dung for cleaning the house before Diwali, but this time there will be enough lamps and idols available in the major markets of the city.
Diyas and idols will be made under the supervision of Dinesh Mishra.
Meanwhile, local VHP leaders claimed that they are preparing cow dung diyas for the first time. “We are making two types of cow dung diyas: one with wet cow dung and the other with cow dung powder.”
“Wet dung diyas tend to take uneven shape and many customers may not be happy using them, whereas diyas made from cow dung powder are perfect,” said a female volunteer. “Dung powder is mixed with rice powder, vegetable gum and water. Once the diyas are dry, a cotton wick is dipped in ghee and affixed to a small metal plate is placed inside them,” she said.
These diyas will be available at affordable rates. The interesting thing is that these diyas easily burn for half an hour if used with desi ghee.
Several VHP leaders said, “People would prefer to buy diyas and idols made of cow dung as the cow is associated with our roots”.
VHP regional secretary (gaurkaha) Lal Mani Tiwari told TOI, “This is the first time that VHP gaushala will make around 25,000 diyas and 10,000 idols of deities at the ‘Shri Prem Gaushala Anusandhan Trust’ in village Nari of Bahria block. We have engaged three self-help groups, around 33 women workers to make diyas and idols and the production has already started.”
“If the trial is successful, we will start production of diyas and idols in other gaushalas from next year,” Tiwari said.
“Eco-friendly cow dung diyas and idols have been in trend since last year and many people have taken them as a green way of celebrating the festival of lights and sound. Now, citizens are giving up on earthen diyas and instead rooting for diyas made of cow dung as they see it as a way to empower gaushalas and local communities,” he said.
Tiwari said that “if the sale of diyas and idols goes well, it will help the Gaushala officials in better maintenance of the cows. These diyas will be made manually by women self-help groups and gaushala owners.
Usually, many people in rural areas buy cow dung for cleaning the house before Diwali, but this time there will be enough lamps and idols available in the major markets of the city.
Diyas and idols will be made under the supervision of Dinesh Mishra.
Meanwhile, local VHP leaders claimed that they are preparing cow dung diyas for the first time. “We are making two types of cow dung diyas: one with wet cow dung and the other with cow dung powder.”
“Wet dung diyas tend to take uneven shape and many customers may not be happy using them, whereas diyas made from cow dung powder are perfect,” said a female volunteer. “Dung powder is mixed with rice powder, vegetable gum and water. Once the diyas are dry, a cotton wick is dipped in ghee and affixed to a small metal plate is placed inside them,” she said.
These diyas will be available at affordable rates. The interesting thing is that these diyas easily burn for half an hour if used with desi ghee.
Several VHP leaders said, “People would prefer to buy diyas and idols made of cow dung as the cow is associated with our roots”.
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