While India rings in Ganesh Chaturthi on Monday, many artistic versions of the elephant-headed god have cropped up throughout the nation. Visuals of many eco-friendly idols of Ganesha have been spotted around Chennai, as shared by ANI. Pictures show a brown Ganesha idol made of Rudraksha beads adorned with garlands comprising of vegetables and fruits at Poompukaar Nagar. Another white Ganapati idol comprised of conch shells was spotted in Valampuri, while a green Ganpathi made of Aloe vera leaves and adorned with sugarcane sticks was spotted in Kolathur. Honouring the Indian Army, Egmore has installed an 'Army Ganpathi' wielding a menacing rifle gun, bereft of his yummy modak.

Eco-friendly Ganapati idols in Chennai

Ganesh Chathurthi: 30 Yerwada Jail prisoners play drums for procession

Prisoners play drums

Meanwhile, in a heartwarming sight, a team of 30 prisoners of Yerwada Central Jail was seen playing drums for a procession welcoming Lord Ganesha to Guruji Talim Mandal in Pune, Maharashtra, according to ANI. Visuals show the men dressed in a white kurta-pajama and sporting bright saffron turbans. They were seen playing the drums enthusiastically as police officials looked on. Ganesh Chathurthi is widely celebrated in Pune with many Ganpathi pandals installed throughout the city.

Visuals also show women dressed in white, sporting white caps playing the drums. The Central Jail's ADG has said that the prisoners were trained for two months to play the drums. He added that the prisoners were enthusiastic about the opportunity. The prisoners seen in the visuals are reportedly from the open jail.

Sudarsan Pattnaik's eye-opening anti-plastics Ganesh Chaturthi art 

Ganesha idol made of 9000 coconuts, Bengaluru temple goes eco-friendly

Coconut Ganapathi

In a similarly unique way to showcase Lord Ganesha, a 30-feet tall idol made from 9000 coconuts and has been installed near the Puttengally Ganesha temple, Bengaluru. The idol is eco-friendly and has been shaped over 20 days by over 70 devotees. Interestingly, apart from coconut, more than 20 types of vegetables have been used to make the idol. According to Mohan Raju, a devotee, it is an annual tradition in the temple to make the Ganpati idol out of materials that can be utilized again. Last year's idol was made from sugarcane.  

Prime Minister Modi wishes citizens on occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi