Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Guntur came with an unusual twist this year—not just devotion, but a giant dose of environmental awareness.

On September 11, 2026, 25,000 school students from 55 schools came together at NTR Stadium to make eco-friendly clay Ganesha idols simultaneously. The massive Green Ganesh programme earned the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) a new entry in the World Book of Records, London.

The event was organised under GMC’s “Nava Guntur” initiative, turning a traditional festival activity into a remarkable environmental campaign.

Beating the Earlier Record

The scale of the gathering was what made the celebration extraordinary.

According to World Book of Records joint secretary M. Elias, the previous record for simultaneous clay idol-making stood at 8,750 participants. Guntur more than doubled that number, with 25,000 students taking part at the same time.

The record was officially announced and registered in the World Book of Records, London, making the achievement a proud moment for the city. But the organisers say the real achievement goes beyond the record certificate.

From Classrooms to 25,000 Homes

GMC Commissioner K. Mayur Ashok said the programme was designed to teach children that festivals can be celebrated without harming nature. The clay idols made by the students are expected to reach 25,000 families, spreading the message of eco-friendly celebrations well beyond the stadium.

By encouraging clay instead of Plaster of Paris and avoiding chemically coloured idols, the initiative aims to make a traditional celebration kinder to the environment. The participation of children also gave the campaign a larger purpose. According to a report in the Deccan Chronicle, Guntur East MLA Naseer Ahmed said involving students could help create a generation of environmental champions, while Prathipadu MLA Burla Ramanjaneyulu described the participants as future “Green Ambassadors.”

Tradition Meets Sustainability

The stadium also featured a sand Ganesha idol, a clay idol and a large painting, adding to the attractions of the event. Guntur West MLA Galla Madhavi urged devotees to choose eco-friendly clay idols. With 25,000 young hands shaping clay together, Guntur has shown that protecting tradition does not have to come at the cost of protecting nature.

This time, the city didn't just celebrate Ganesha—it made sustainability part of the celebration.