Karnataka's Massive Temple Cleanup: 14,049 Worship Sites Sparkle for Makar Sankranti
The Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) organized a massive cleanliness drive across Karnataka. This initiative covered an impressive 14,049 places of worship. Public participation played a crucial role in this effort. The drive coincided with the festive occasion of Makar Sankranti.
Leadership and Inspiration
D Veerendra Heggade and Hemavathi V Heggade, the Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, provided consistent motivation and guidance. They aligned the campaign with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Their leadership ensured cleanliness at numerous worship sites throughout the state. A recent release highlighted their ongoing commitment to this cause.
Campaign Goals and Slogan
The campaign operated under the slogan ‘Nammuru, Namma Shraddha Kendra’. This translates to 'Our Village, Our Place of Worship'. It aimed to instill a strong sense of responsibility among citizens. The focus was on preserving both the sanctity and the cleanliness of these sacred spaces. For the past decade, members of self-help groups have actively participated in cleaning religious shrines.
Statewide Cleanliness Week
This year, Karnataka observed a dedicated Cleanliness Week starting January 7th. The activities led up to Makar Sankranti on Wednesday. Volunteers carried out extensive cleaning at a wide variety of locations. The breakdown of cleaned sites is as follows:
- 13,282 temples
- 33 basadis (Jain temples)
- 350 mosques
- 120 churches
- 264 other public places, including schools and anganwadi centres
Massive Volunteer Participation
The drive witnessed overwhelming public support. A total of 339,699 volunteers joined the effort. This diverse group included:
- Temple management committee members
- Federation office bearers
- Gram panchayat representatives
- Activists from various social organizations
Detailed Cleaning Activities
Anil Kumar SS, the executive director of SKDRDP, provided specific details about the cleanup. Volunteers cleared all weeds that had grown in the surroundings of the worship sites. They focused on several key areas:
- Temple ponds and wells
- Community halls and ashwathakatte (platforms around sacred trees)
- Aralikatte (areas for ritual offerings)
- Toilets and nearby streets
The campaign also emphasized awareness creation. Volunteers educated devotees about the importance of using dustbins. They encouraged people to stop littering in public places. This educational component aimed to ensure lasting cleanliness beyond the drive itself.
The successful completion of this massive initiative has left Karnataka's places of worship sparkling clean. It stands as a testament to community spirit and dedication to Swachh Bharat ideals during the Makar Sankranti celebrations.
