A statewide Maharashtra temple clean-up drive will target at least 50 temples in every taluka on October 31 and November 1, with organisers asking volunteers to segregate waste, avoid dumping in drains and prepare temple precincts before Diwali.
The campaign has been called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Mandir Archak Purohit Sampark Ayam and will be conducted from 7am to 11am on both days. According to a media statement issued by Anil Sambare, the organisation’s Kshetra Sampark Pramukh, the initiative builds on a cleanliness campaign conducted in Maharashtra over the past three years.
The four-hour drives will cover temple halls, courtyards, entrances, staircases and adjoining roads. Temple trustees, priests, devotees, women’s groups, youth organisations and environmental volunteers have been invited to participate in the cleaning work and collection of waste around the religious sites.
The organisers have specified that sanctums, idols and ritual utensils should be cleaned under the guidance of priests. People who cannot participate physically have been asked to contribute cleaning materials or assist with other arrangements.
Waste management is a central part of the campaign. Flowers and other religious offerings, plastic and general waste are to be collected separately. The organisers have encouraged temples to compost floral waste wherever feasible and have asked volunteers not to burn waste or dispose of it in drains. They have also urged participants to avoid unnecessary water consumption during the cleaning work.
Each participating temple has been asked to hold a planning meeting at least eight days before the drive. These meetings are intended to allocate responsibilities and estimate the number of volunteers required. Local coordinators will be appointed to mobilise participation at the taluka and temple levels.
The campaign will also cover preparations for Diwali celebrations. Temples have been asked to illuminate their premises safely and organise collective Deep Puja. Volunteers have been encouraged to provide foodgrains, clothes, festive food and other essentials to poor and needy families while respecting their dignity.
As part of the programme, participating temples have also been asked to replace their saffron flags and organise collective flag-worship ceremonies. The ceremonies are to involve 11 or 21 newly married couples from different community groups in the neighbourhood.
The planned drive places temple premises and their adjoining public areas within a coordinated pre-festival cleanliness effort. Its implementation will depend on participation by local temple committees, volunteers and coordinators across Maharashtra. The campaign is scheduled to take place on October 31 and November 1.
