Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has kicked off a program for respectful disposal of discarded deity photos and other sacred items. Dubbed Project Udvasana,first event was Saturday at ISCKON temple in Banjara Hills,partnering with Hare Krishna Golden Temple.
This initiative aims to offer an organized,eco-friendly way for citizens to retire worshipped items,ensuring responsible recovery and recycling. Old photos,damaged frames,worn idols often pile up without proper disposal options. Some end up in public spaces,exposed to elements,eventually entering municipal waste.
To tackle this,GHMC set up a structured process mixing traditional rituals with community involvement . At inaugural drive,devotees from across city brought old deity pictures,damaged frames,other sacred materials. Collection reached 68 kg,including worshipped photo frames,metal,wooden,stone,clay,plastic idols,religious artifacts from homes,offices,places of worship.
Many items found new homes through community interest. After collection,an Udvasana Pooja took place,followed by systematic segregation,scientific dismantling,responsible recycling. GHMC said next drive is at Sri Hanuman Temple in Yusufguda on June 13,urging citizens to bring retired sacred items.
GHMC plans to expand Project Udvasana citywide… Future phases will roll out a QR code system for better coordination across Hyderabad. Religious institutions wanting to be collection centers should reach out…
