Prayagraj: A group of 10 women have created unique items using cow dung, including wall clocks, chandeliers, and idols of deities like Goddess Durga, ahead of the Navratri festival.The demand for these eco-friendly products has surged, especially in holy cities like Ayodhya, Mathura, Kashi, and Prayagraj, with traders and NGOs placing orders for idols of Radha Krishna, Shankar Parvati, and Ram Darbar.Members of the Asharani Foundation, a self-help group led by Abha Singh, are gaining attention for their innovative creations made from cow dung and guar gum. Inspired by the eco-friendly benefits of natural materials, the women have crafted designer idols, chandeliers, and wall clocks. Cow dung, being biodegradable and antimicrobial, has sparked their creativity, resulting in unique products that are garnering interest.Abha Singh said, “Volunteers are thrilled to contribute to a more eco-friendly Navratri celebration by creating deity idols and decorations.” She noted that over 500 cow dung and guar gum idols have already been dispatched to markets, meeting the growing demand for these sustainable products.Traders’ organisations have been impressed by the women’s creativity and ingenuity, placing orders to support the self-help group’s work for the upcoming Diwali festival. The idols and wall clocks crafted by the women come in a range of vibrant colors and intricate designs.Singh said, “There has been rising demand for designer wall clocks made of cow dung, with numbers from 1 to 12 showing their value among the customers.” They are also priced affordably, making them a popular choice for people of all budgets. The SHG’s women are confident that their products will become a more popular choice among shoppers across the state in the coming festive season. The women also believe that these decorations and idols are a unique way to celebrate the festival in a natural environment. The fact is that not many know about the benefits of cow dung. Apart from its medicinal value, designer jewellery made of cow dung, guar gum, and natural colour paint is still catching people’s fancy,” said Singh, who imparts training to women from Ballia, Gorakhpur, Mathura, Ayodhya, and Vrindavan.“It takes time to shape designer decorations and idols. After drying the dung, the women remove grass and other material from it. Later, it is mixed with guar gum powder. Then it is set in different moulds. After drying, they are painted to enhance their beauty.”The products made by the women are available in a variety of colours and designs, including swastikas, flowers, Om symbols, chakras, sriyantras, and other traditional designs. Interestingly, more and more women are joining the camp to cope with the rising demand for products made of cow dung.