The Cauvery Maha Pushkara at the temple town of Srirangapatna near Mandya has left the river and its banks polluted. The event, being held for the first time and concludes on Saturday, has drawn over two lakh devotees since September 12.
Unfortunately, the devotees — who take a holy dip, cook food near the river at the bathing ghats and perform pujas — have dumped waste everywhere. According to the Srirangapatna Town Municipal Corporation (TMC), the event has generated at least four tonnes of waste since the start of the pushkara. Strewn all along the river bank are garlands, coconut and tender coconut shells, plantain leaves, clay pots, copper plates, lemons, photos of deities, puja material, leftover food, and polythene covers. In spite of repeated announcements/requests through loudspeakers and pamphlets, devotees continue to throw waste into the river and in open spaces, lamented officials at the Srirangapatna Town Municipal Council (TMC). The TMC had deployed a 35-member team of pourakarmikas to prevent pollution caused during and after rituals, but the sheer volume of waste has been hard to handle.
“The TMC is using auto-tippers and tractors to clear the garbage,” Lokesh, Chief Officer, Srirangapatna TMC, told The Hindu .
