how to decorate ganesh murti at home

How to Decorate Ganesh Murti at Home.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that honors the Hindu deity Ganesh. Each year, at the culmination of the festival, Ganesh murti, or idols, are immersed and dissolved in water. To make your own murti, sculpt a natural clay, such as terracotta, into the form of Ganesh. Create a makhar, or a throne, for the idol, then adorn it with craft jewels, flowers, colorful fabric, and candles. Throughout your home, celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with decorations such as diyas, strings of lights, and beautiful door hangings.

Method 1 Making Your Own Ganesh Murti.

1. Sculpt the murti with natural, biodegradable clay. Immersing murti in water sends Ganesh, who has resided in the idol to listen to your prayers, back to his heavenly abode. Terracotta clay and other natural choices will dissolve during the immersion ritual. Not only is this consistent with the ritual’s spiritual meaning, it’s better for the environment.

During Ganesh Chaturthi, hundreds of thousands of idols may be immersed in a single city. Idols made of materials that don't dissolve, such as plaster of Paris, pollute the bodies of water in which they’re immersed. In some areas, laws require Ganesh murti to be made of natural clay.

Furthermore, undissolved idols are often removed from bodies of water, gathered into piles, and destroyed, which disrespects Ganesh.

2. Roll out 3 large balls of clay for the body, base, and head. Make the balls roughly the same size between 1/3 and 1/2 of the height you want the idol to be. For instance, if you want a 9 in (23 cm) idol, make each large ball about 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) in diameter. Squish the first ball between your palms to make a flat, 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) thick circular base, then blend the bottom of the ball for the body onto the base.

After smoothing the ball for the body into the base, attach the ball for the head onto the body. At this point, it should look a bit like a snowman sitting on a flat circle, with the joints between the clay balls blended together.

Dab your fingers in a small cup of water to moisten the clay and make it more pliable.

If you have trouble keeping the sculpture stable, insert a toothpick halfway into the top of the ball for the body. Then place the ball for the head onto the body; the other half of the toothpick goes into the head. The toothpick acts like a frame and holds the 2 balls of clay together.

3. Make 2 long cylinders for the legs. Roll 2 pieces of clay into 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) long tubes with diameters of about 1 1⁄2 in (3.8 cm). Then attach 1 end of each tube to the rear and bottom of the body to form the legs. Bend the legs so they curl around the front of the body in a sitting position, then smooth 1 end of each leg to the back of body to form the hip joints.

Remember that toothpicks or small sticks can help you attach the body parts to each other if you have trouble keeping the idol stable.

4. Attach the arms and the trunk to the idol. Make 2 more 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) tubes with 1 1⁄2 in (3.8 cm) diameters. Attach 1 end of each one to the top of the body to make the arms. Roll a final 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) tube with a diameter of about 1 in (2.5 cm), and blend it into the front of the head for the trunk.

With wet fingertips, smooth each of these joints. Blend the arms where they meet the body to make shoulders, and smooth the clay all around where the trunk meets the face.

Pinch the ends of the arms to slightly flatten them into hands. Bend one arm upward at the elbow and wrist so the palm faces forward to represent a mudra, or a symbolic hand gesture. Position the other arm so its palm faces up.

5. Sculpt an object associated with Ganesh for your murti to hold. Make a ball of clay about 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) in diameter. Mold it into a symbolic object associated with Ganesh, such as rope or uneaten sweets, and place it in the upward facing palm. To make a rope, simply roll the small ball of clay into a long, thin cylinder. Next, curl it into a loop and place it on Ganesh's palm.

Make uneaten sweets by dividing the clay ball into 3 or 4 smaller balls, then place them in the upward facing palm.

6. Blend the ears onto the head. Make 2 balls about 1 in (2.5 cm) across, then squish each one between your palms to make smooth, flat ears about 2 in (5.1 cm) and 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) thick.

Place the ears on the sides of the head, then blend the joints between the ears and the head.

7. Add the tusks and a crown. Place 2 small tusks on either side of the trunk, then make a crown by stacking 2 or 3 clay cylinders about 2 in (5.1 cm) in diameter and 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) thick on top of the head.

Ganesh has a broken tusk, so make one about 1 in (2.5 cm) long and the other about 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) in length. Both tusks should be tubes about 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) thick, and the longer one should taper to a point.

Get creative and make small balls and other shapes to adorn the crown with jewels.

8. Draw eyes and markings with a toothpick and safety pin. With the point of the toothpick, draw small eyes above and on either side of the trunk. Then add the Aum symbol to the forehead with the pin. Even with the pin, it might be tough to draw the symbol so small, but just do your best.

You can also make lines to add details to the crown, ears, belly, and other body parts. Visualize Ganesh or look at an image, and fine tune the murti until you’re happy with your representation of the deity.

The idol will be immersed and dissolved in water, so there’s no need to bake it or otherwise set it.

9. Use vegetable-based pigments if you choose to paint the murti. Painting the murti is optional; many people now prefer the natural look of an unpainted clay idol. If you do paint it, go for natural, vegetable-based paints instead of metallic or chemical-based products.

Vermilion, which is a deep red, would be a good color choice. It's associated with Ganesh and religious festivals.

Vegetable-based paints are eco-friendly and won’t harm the body of water in which you immerse the murti. In some areas, idols are required to be unpainted or colored with non-toxic pigments. Search online for your city's government website to check your local ordinances, or look for newspaper articles on regulations related to Ganesh Chaturthi.

Things You’ll Need : Terracotta clay, Toothpicks, Small cup of water, Sculpting blade (optional), Vegetable-based paints (optional), Paintbrush (optional).

Method 2 Creating a Ganpati Makhar.

1. Cut out a cardboard circle that’s larger than the murti. Trace a circular object, like a plate, over the cardboard as a guide. Just make sure it’s large enough to be a suitable backdrop for the murti. Cut out the circle using scissors or a utility knife.

The circle will be a backdrop, so it needs to be bigger than the murti. For instance, if your idol is 8 in (20 cm) tall, make the circle at least 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) in diameter.

If you’d like, decorate the circle’s perimeter with small scallop shapes, triangles, circles, or any design you find pleasing. Use your imagination! Cut designs directly into the circle’s edge or cut out shapes and glue them around it.

2. Create a base by cutting designs into a cardboard box. Choose a cardboard box that’s at least 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) wider than the idol's base; a shoe box would probably work well. To add visual interest, cut decorative arches, triangles, or other designs into the bottoms of each side. Again, get creative and come up with designs that you find beautiful!

If you're using a box without a lid, cut a piece of cardboard to fit the opening, then paste it over the top. This part of the makhar is the base or platform upon which Ganesh will sit.

3. Paint the circle and base or cover them with colorful paper. Choose vibrant paints or construction paper to color the makhar. Sky blue or pale turquoise would work well for the circle and top of the base, as the murti would stand out well against a light color. Ganesh enjoys the color red, so that’s a good choice for borders and other details.

If you’re using construction paper, cut the paper to fit the circle and the base’s sides and top. Use a glue stick to attach the paper to the cardboard.

If you’re painting the cardboard, allow it to dry for 6 to 8 hours before decorating it with craft jewels and beads.

You won't be immersing the makhar in a body of water, so it's okay if you use paints and other craft items that aren't biodegradable.

4. Glue beads and craft jewels to the cardboard. Using a hot glue gun, place large, colorful jewels around the edge of the circle and perimeter of the base. Create patterns around the larger jewels with rhinestones and other smaller ones. Then glue jewels and chains of beads around the platform’s edges to create a decorative border.

Leave most of the circular backdrop blank; just make a jeweled border about 1 in (2.5 cm) thick around the circle’s perimeter. If you’d like, glue a few beads or rhinestones to the backdrop here and there to make stars.

5. Attach the circle to the base and stabilize the joint with cardboard. Cut a rectangular piece of cardboard about 4 to 5 in (10 to 13 cm) long to secure the circle to the platform. Hold the bottom edge of the circle on one side of the platform. Then place the cardboard rectangle on the back of the makhar so it overlaps the joint where the circle and base meet. Once you’ve lined up the pieces, glue them together with the hot glue gun.

Hold the circle to the base for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the hot glue to set. Give it 30 to 60 minutes to completely dry.

Since it’s on the back of the makhar, the cardboard piece that holds the circle to the base won’t be visible. Although it won’t be seen, you can still paint it or cover it with colorful paper if you’d like.

Things You’ll Need : Cardboard box, Utility knife or scissors, Hot glue gun, Craft jewelry, Craft beads, Paint (optional), Paintbrush (optional), Construction paper (optional).

Method 3 Decorating Your Home.

1. Hang colorful dupattas around the makhar. Use thumbtacks to secure the dupattas, or colorful scarves, to the wall behind the makhar. After hanging the dupattas, place a small table in front of the wall, and set the makhar on the table.

If you don’t have dupattas, use lengths of any colorful fabric.

Place the murti on the makhar after you’ve set the table in place.

2. Adorn Ganesh and the makhar with flowers. Scatter flowers on the table around the makhar, and place vases with flowers on either side. Weave together a small garland of flower, ribbon, or paper, then place it around Ganesh’s neck.

Remember that Ganesh is fond of the color red; red hibiscus flowers are often used to adorn Ganesh idols. Erukku flowers and banana leaves are also associated with Ganesh.[20]

3. Place diyas, candles, and strings of lights around your home. Diyas are oil lamps that are lit during puja (prayer) and are typically made of brass. Place a diya by the makhar, and light it before you perform puja to Ganesh. No Hindu festival is complete without light, so decorate your entire home with candles and strings of LED lights to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.

Your decorations can be as ornate as your budget and time allow. If you’d like, simply place diyas and votive candles around your home. You can also go all out and run strings of light all around doorways and the edges where walls meet the ceiling.

4. Welcome family and friends with vibrant door hangings. Purchase store-bought beaded door hangings, or make your own. You could tie and hang long strands of beads from the craft store, or string together ribbons, flowers, and lights. Hang your decorations on your entrance and, if you'd like, on doors throughout your home.

Use thumbtacks or small nails to attach your door hangings to the top of the door or jamb.

Wind chimes could also make an interesting addition to your door hangings.

Tips.

Remember the murti is part of a spiritual ritual. You should show reverence and contemplate Ganesh while making the idol.

While making your own murti is an act of devotion, you can also purchase store-bought idols and thrones. Keep in mind it's best to choose eco-friendly options.

Warnings.

Be careful when using sharp blades or a hot glue gun. Do not touch the tip of the glue gun while it’s hot. Allow it to cool completely before putting it away.

Avoid leaving lit candles or diyas unattended.

Januari 13, 2020

how to build an underground house

How to Build an Underground House.

Have you ever wanted to have a house completely hidden from the view of other people? Do you like caves or the deep smell of moist earth? Do you fear the imminent apocalypse? Well, you might want to build an underground house. It will take some time and effort, but if you’re wiling to commit to the project you could have your own underground shelter sooner rather than later.



Method 1 Preparing to Build Your Underground House.

1. Check your zoning laws. You can call your state to check the zoning laws of your property to see if you are allowed to put a new building on your property. You don’t want the state to ruin the fun by fining you for your newly created underground house. Even if you’re underground you're not safe from the law.

2. Get permission from the state to dig. More official business. You need to pre-mark the area on your property that you want to excavate with stakes and white paint. Then you call your state’s Dig Safe branch and describe the area that you plan to dig in. Hopefully they will grant you permission. You definitely have to do this to ensure that you’re not going to dig into a sewage system or something like that.

3. Hire a professional excavator or buy professional equipment. Hiring a professional to do it for you wouldn’t be the worst idea. Depending on the size of your house you probably are going to need to use heavy machinery, and if you have no experience with that hiring a professional is probably the way to go. Search for professional excavators on the internet or contact a local construction company. They should be able to quote you a cost and at the very least offer you some helpful tips. You may be able to negotiate a price to use their equipment if you can prove that you are trained to use it.

4. Find someone willing to help you. This isn’t a solo job even if you really want it to be. When you’re excavating or dealing with heavy materials you need someone to make sure that you are safe. You are going to be dealing with a lot of heavy materials and working in the earth and something could happen at any time. Make sure you have a partner.

5. Find a suitable location. Look for a spot that is outside of your area’s 100-year flood plain and isn't near any steep slopes that might trigger a landslide. A large open space is probably best suited for an underground house, because tree roots can also cause issues during excavation. The odds are that you will be trying to build this house on your own property, so you probably don't have to worry too much but just be aware.

Generally you want to stay away from any large objects like trees, boulders, or multi-story buildings.

You also shouldn't place your house near any concentrations of fuel or any hazardous materials.



Method 2 Designing Your Underground House.

1. Develop detailed structural plans. Work with an architect to design a scaled design and floor plan for your underground house. This plan should be complete with dimensions, details on the potential materials that will be used,

2. Design your house. As you design your house you should consider air and water filtration systems, potential light sources, and food storage space. [3] Draw a model of your house to scale using the structural plans that you already created. Now draw in where all the installed appliances will go first, then the furniture, then anything else you would like to include in your plan. Be aware of the following constraints as well.

If you are going to be underground for very long periods of time you will need to have your water set up to some sort of renewing water source and you will also need a ton of space to keep the food you have fresh. This means many refrigerators and a reliable power generator.

A reliable air circulation and filtration system is also crucial to avoid getting carbon dioxide poisoning or other airborne illnesses.

3. Include an entrance and exit in your design. This can be as simple as a ladder with a hatch on the top or even a tunnel leading up and to the outside. The easiest option is buying a staircase. You can buy a staircase online and have it delivered to your house, so it doesn’t even need to be part of the construction if you don’t want.

If you decide to use a ladder you may need to secure the ladder to the wall with metal supports. Buy U-shaped metal supports at a home improvement store and secure these into your wall over the steps of your ladder. This will keep it stable while you are climbing up and down. You can also buy airtight hatches to secure the top of your entrance. Once again it is important to make sure that your hatch is significantly wider and longer than the hole you wish to cover.



Method 3 Planning the Excavation.

1. Develop a strategy to dig your hole. Remember to dig based on the excavation area that you received permission to dig in. If you dig outside of that you risk digging into something like a sewer line or a fiber optic cable. Also know what kind of soil you'll be excavating. If you're digging into bedrock you won't get very far.

You also should check your soil records at the town office before you start digging to see what you are going to be digging into and what kind of equipment you will need. Ask the clerk at the town office about your property and they will have the records available for you to see most of the time. If they don't, you might have to have someone come and survey your land.

2. Investigate the conditions of your soil. It’s incredibly important to know what kind of soil you are working with, and this will also inform your digging strategy. Have a professional come and survey your soil.

3. Consider a cut and cover strategy. Cut and cover works if you are digging in relatively soft soil. The idea is that you dig out an area, build a concrete structure inside of it, and then cover the hole thing up with dirt again. Obviously you want to keep your hatch or staircase exposed so that you can enter into your structure. However, if your soil will allow for it this is a good way to build a large framework for your home.

4. Save the excess soil. This is especially important if you plan to create a berm house. A berm house is a house that is covered by soil but still has windows and doorways to the outside. Your house will sit in a deep foundation and once you have completed the construction of the building you can push the dirt up the sides and on top of the house to create the berm look. This will require a reinforced roof.



Method 4 Constructing Your Underground House.

1. Build a perimeter wood frame. You will pour concrete into this frame in order to create a footing. The footings will form the basis for your foundation. The boards should be built according to the specifications of your foundation in your designed plan.

2. Install footings to provide the base for your foundation. Remember to seal the footings to protect them from moisture. Use a high quality sealer. You can pour concrete either directly into trenches or into wood forms.

3. Create stem walls. Start with the corners of the foundation and then build a plum and level wall connecting the two corners. Having something to connect the wall to on either side makes the process easier. It’s much easier to spot if the wall is out of alignment. Remove the flaws using hand trowels.

4. Consider using reinforced concrete on the walls. You will want to use it on the ceiling too if you plan to cover your roof heavily with dirt and soil. Living underground will keep the temperatures relatively moderate, but the earth also puts a huge amount of pressure on the walls and ceiling of your house.  It’s also essential to hire a structural engineer to design earthquake resistant elements if you live in an earthquake prone area.

5. Decide what kind of ceiling you want. You can choose a material as simple as wood boards or something more complex, but sturdier, like brick or concrete. If you choose brick or concrete ensure that you building has strong structural supports.

6. Plan to have scaffolding or brick pillars secure your ceiling. You will have to lay the brick yourself by buying brick and mortar and building a thick pillar up to the ceiling. A six brick base should provide a decent support. If your room is very large you will want to build a few supports. Scaffolding is something that you can buy at a home improvement store, but is more likely to bend and break. Take this step very seriously or you risk potential cave-ins.

7. Use wood beams to outline the rooms in your house. Set up these rooms in accordance with your design plans. Make sure that you leave space in the walls for any potential wiring that you’ll need to do.

8. Consider insulation. Even though you’re living underground you may need insulation. This will keep your heating and cooling costs down and make your energy use much more efficient. Wait until after you have completed the wiring before you install the insulation.



Method 5 Buying a Premade Underground House.

1. Research the kind of underground shelter you would want. Believe it or not there are plenty of companies that specialize in underground shelters. You'll be able to find a number of companies on the internet that can sell you pre-made houses in a variety of different styles. You can go pretty crazy here if you’re willing to spend a lot of money.  Try to consider your price range and the amount of people that you plan to have living with you in this shelter.

2. Purchase your underground house. In most of these situations you have to buy the shelter outright, because generally the idea is that you’ll be holed up in the shelter once you have it. However, some of these companies offer financing.

3. Obtain approval to dig on your property. You first need to pre -mark your excavation area with white paint or stakes. Then call your state excavation number to describe the exact area where you plane to excavate. You will not be allowed to dig outside of this area. In Massachusetts this number is 8-1-1, but it varies state by state. This is important to ensure that you don't dig into a buried sewage system or fiber optic cable.

4. Have your underground house delivered and installed. This is included in the price. Make sure there is a path for their truck to deliver your new house. You can’t have your dig site all the way out in the middle of the woods if there is no road to get there.The installation may take several days, so be aware of that.



Question : How much money do I need to build an underground house?

Answer : It depends on how big the house is and what materials you use, but probably $10K or more.

Question : Is it possible to use this as a super secret lab? Do I need to buy all the super scientific stuff myself?

Answer : You could do that, or anything else your imagination suggests. And, yes, you would probably have to buy everything.

Question : How do you get underground? And put big objects down there without digging up the house?

Answer : Usually, underground houses are built by digging out space on the side of a hill. The house is constructed then the dirt is moved back on top of the structure. One side of the house is usually left exposed.

Question : What would happen if I built an underground house using wood instead of concrete and bricks in a rocky soil? Will it fall down on me?

Answer : While the type of soil would affect the distribution and absorption, all types will bring rain or surface water down to the building materials. Wood, when exposed to water, weakens and rots; it is an essential part of its natural breakdown process. So, yes, it would come apart and quickly, likely falling down on itself in the process.

Question : Instead of either ladder or stairway how about an elevator?

Answer : While elevators can go into basements, they have large foundational and protection requirements. They take a lot of material, space and need plenty of protection around them, such as a building. They are too big for most, and require so much building around them - for the above-ground entry - that it defies what most people picture for an underground house. Besides, they're expensive to build, run and maintain, too.

Question : Should I have a normal house on top?

Answer : There are pros and cons: a normal house distracts from an underground one, and gives you the advantages of both types. However, an above-ground house is not hidden, and may not fit into your plans (such as defense or a location not being found). It is about your preferences.



Tips.

When constructing any trench or hole angle the walls back slightly, so the top is larger than the floor. this lets gravity help you hold back the pressure of the dirt walls.

A phone in case of emergency may be useful.

Before adding the roof always brace the sides of the trench and hole to prevent cave ins.

Ventilation holes are a very good thing to build maybe behind a plant so your underground house will stay secret.

When you brace the walls, drive the stick or pole into the floor, pushing against the wall so that in order for you to push your finger behind the board, you would hurt yourself, or at least get really dirty fingernails.

Brace all walls and never dig deep without a friend near you and above ground.

Have your house inspected by a professional so that you know it won’t collapse.

Plan ahead. You don’t want to work on this during the winter or inclement weather.

Commit time to the project. If you really want an underground house it’s going to be a long process.

Do not try to build an underground home if you live below sea level. You probably will hit water.

Februari 20, 2020