Keep Navratri offerings out of rivers: Akola's 'Nirmalya Kalash Rath' to roll from October 22

Akola: The 'Nirmalya Kalash Rath', an initiative run in the city for the past 16 years to collect garlands, flowers, durva, bel leaves and other offerings made to the goddess during Navratri and dispose of them in an eco-friendly way rather than in rivers, streams and other water bodies, will be repeated this year. The cart will tour various parts of the city from 9 am on Thursday, October 22.

Group leader and corporator Nilesh Deo has urged residents to hand over the offerings from their homes to the cart. Flowers and other offerings made during the festival are often immersed in water, which can pollute it.

The tradition, started at Deo's initiative on the idea that faith and care for nature should go together, has run for 16 years. Collection will begin at Ashok Vatika on the morning of October 22, and until 8 pm the cart will reach colonies, apartments and housing societies on a fixed schedule. Residents have been asked not to dump offerings on roads, in drains or in water.

Source: Hindusthan Samachar