International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 12 | Dec 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
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The impact of idol immersion on the water quality of the waterbodies in Kolkata and Howrah, West Bengal, India Sambit Ghosh1, Md. Abdullah Khan2 1Project Assistant, Department of Geology, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India 2Assistant Professor, Department of Geology, Sikkim University, Gangtok, Sikkim, India
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Abstract - Water pollution is one of the most widespread
In earlier days till 1980s, idols were mainly made of clay or mud or terracotta (burnt mud or clay) and usually decorated with bio-degradable materials like paper, cloth, jute fibres. Even colours used were of natural ingredients or ecofriendly in nature. After worship, the idols were generally immersed in different water bodies like seas, rivers, lakes and ponds. But, since some years besides being made up of clay or mud, idols are sometimes made of Plaster of Paris (POP). Usually wooden structure or frame, small iron rod are also used and the idols are decorated with different synthetic paints, papers, plastics, thermocols and other nonbiodegradable materials which can cause severe adverse effect to the environment as a whole. Most of the synthetic paints are of petrochemical origin and contains heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium, zinc, aluminium, etc. which are very toxic for our health and the environment. Vermilion or Sin door which is applied on the idols during worship or during other religious rituals contains sculpture and mercury. They contaminate the water and could be detrimental for health, if it crosses the permissible limits in water. Lead and Chromium are very toxic even in very small quantity for human beings through the processes known as bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Through food chains, these heavy metals can enter into the body systems of living organisms. The idol immersion activities pollute the ponds, lakes, rivers, seas and other waterbodies. The decomposition of the organic matters dumped with idol immersion process in the river and lake results in eutrophication increase in acidity and heavy metal concentration. Heavy metal pollution caused by idol immersion can damage the ecosystem as it kills fishes, damages plant, blocks the natural flow of the water, causing stagnation. It damages health of human beings also by polluting drinking water sources, causing breathing problems, blood and skin diseases (Bhattacharya et al., 2014).
global problems which has been aggravated due to anthropogenic activities. The consequent effects of water pollution are far-reaching, detrimental to human health, aquatic ecosystems, and the environment as a whole. Contaminated river water can cause various chronic health issues, due to heavy metals and other toxicants. India is a culturally rich country and follows various diversified customs and tradition. Idol worship has been an integral part of this age-old tradition and aafter worship; these idols are immersed into various water bodies like seas, rivers, lakes, ponds, etc. These idols are generally made up of clay or mud, but sometimes they could be made of Plaster of Paris (POP) along with cloth, wooden structure or frame and are decorated with different paints which contain heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, lead, etc. Oother items are also used for decorative purposes which are mainly made of plastic, paper, thermocol, etc. To study the effect of idol immersion, water samples were collected from four immersion sites or ghats of Kolkata and Howrah and also from two community ponds of Howrah. These samplings were done in three stages pre-immersion, during immersion and post-immersion. Pparameter’s like temperature, pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were recorded in-situ. Dissolved Oxygen, Total Suspended Solids (TSS) some, heavy metals were analysed in the laboratory. This study found marginal change in these water quality parameters before, during and after immersion. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS 10500:2012) has been followed for the analysis. Key Words: Water Pollution, Idol Immersion, Ganga River, Kolkata, Howrah, Water Quality, Physicochemical parameters, Heavy metals
1. INTRODUCTION
Besides these, lot of organic wastes like flowers, garlands, grains, and other puja materials (offerings to Gods and Goddesses) are dumped into the waterbodies which results in various microbial growths. The decomposition of the organic waste reduces the Dissolved Oxygen (DO) of water and increases the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) of water thus degrading the quality of water. Due to excessive organic matter in the water various pathogens or disease-causing microbes like bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungii and start multiplying and results in various water borne diseases like dysentery, cholera, diarrhoea, hepatitis, etc.
All forms of life (both plants and animals) depend upon water for its survival and daily needs. Human beings need water for drinking, bathing, washing, agricultural usage and industrial uses. The quantity & quality of water is deteriorateing over time due to overexploitation of both ground water and surface water. Another reason for water quality degradation is increase in pollution bbecause of the dumping of domestic, agricultural and industrial wastes. India is a country of religious diversity and people follow various rituals, customs and religious traditions. One of the religious traditions that is followed in India is idol worship.
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