Comparative Effects of Idols Immersion on the Quality of Flowing Holy Ganga Water and Stagnant Water of Ganga Sarovar: A Case Study at Varanasi

: Idols are constructed using various materials like natural soil, plaster of paris, paddy straw, husk, cloths, mild steel, bamboo and are well beautified with the help of different enamel paints such as varnish, water colors and sindhoor (red oxide), etc. which damage water quality after immersion. Painting materials which are used to colour these idols contain various heavy metals such as cadmium, copper, cobalt, chromium mercury, nickel, lead and zinc, particularly, red, blue, orange and green colours contain compounds of mercury, zinc, chromium, cadmium, cobalt, nickel and lead. These compounds are carcinogenic. Two heavy metals such as lead and chromium are also added in the water bodies through sindoor. The materials of idols are frequently found floating in the river water. The water qualities are deteriorated after decomposition of idol materials and cause eutrophication and acidity of water. The heavy metals concentrations are increased in water. Heavy metal pollution caused by idol immersion can damage the ecosystem as it kills fishes, damages plants and blocks the natural flow of the water, causing stagnation which is more dangerous. The effects of idol immersion on various natural water bodies in India are damages in various ways. Present investigations were carried out to find out the effects of immersion of idols on water quality by collecting and analyzing the water samples from the immersion points near holy Ganga river and temporary ponds named “Ganga Sarovar-I and II”. Several physico-chemical parameters like Temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Dissolved CO2, Conductivity, Alkalinity, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), Total Sususpended Solid (TSS), Total Hardness (TH) and Nitrate, Phosphate, Sulphae, Chlorides, and Total Microbial Population (TMP) were estimated using standard techniques. Most of the studies showed significant changes in the water quality parameters after immersion. The significant changes in physicochemical properties of water revealed decrease in the dissolved oxygen, and increase in all other parameters. In view of the observed changes in the water quality, it has been suggested that there is need to aware masses to use eco-friendly material for idol making. They should immerse these into natural flow water systems as per suggestions provided by scientific rules after traditional worship. Seepage of decomposing materials was also noticed from Ganga Sarovar-I mixing into main stream of holy river Ganga. Thus, large number of toxic metals and harmful microbes are directly added into main stream of Ganga water. The case study also revealed that temporary pond should not be made near bank of river Ganga to avoid any seepage and more contamination in the Ganga water.