Kanaka Durga temple to celebrate eco-friendly Dasara
In a significant step towards making the festivities environment-friendly, the administration has decided to completely phase out single-use plastic items, including plastic water pouches distributed to devotees for drinking water purposes in the sarva darshan queues during the festival.
Plastic water pouches have been a major contributor to plastic pollution, with lakhs of these packets being arranged every year for distribution to devotees in the temple queue lines during Dasara.
In fact, a record 15 lakh water pouches were distributed to devotees during the Dasara festivities last year by the temple authorities. While the temple authorities also distribute drinking water through water bottles in the queue lines, the focus will now shift to using only biodegradable and recyclable materials.
District collector Dr. G Lakshmisha has issued clear instructions to the temple authorities and concerned departments to ensure that single-use plastic items are not used during this year's Dasara celebrations.
"Only biodegradable and recyclable plastic items should be utilized during the Dasara festival celebrations at Indrakeeladri temple," the collector emphasized, adding that the same applies to items used for drinking water distribution in devotees' queue lines.
He also advised the temple authorities to encourage donors to provide drinking water in recyclable plastic water bottles instead of water packets.
This move aligns with the state government's announcement of a complete ban on the usage of single-use plastic (SUP) items across 17 cities in Andhra Pradesh, including Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati, and other major cities, effective October 2. The ban aims to put an end to the plastic menace and promote sustainable practices.
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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Annual award instituted in memory of Dasara elephant Arjuna; first honour to be presented on August 4 at Karnataka's Gajapayana
MYSURU: An annual award has been instituted in the name of the Dasara elephant Arjuna, who was martyred during a wild elephant capture operation near Yasaluru, Hassan. The first award will be presented to a mahout, an elephant handler, and a Kavadi, an assistant elephant handler, during Gajapayana at Nagarahole Tiger Forest on August 4. Forest minister Eshwar B. Khandre will present the award to Bhima elephant's mahout, Gunda, and Kavadi Nanjundaswamy, who successfully participated in elephant and wildlife capture operations in places like Hassan, Sakleshpur, and Kodagu, informed Eshwar Khandre. Khandre informed that HD Kote MLA Anil Kumar C suggested establishing an annual award in Arjuna's name. Honouring this suggestion, it has been decided to present the "Arjuna Elephant" award during the annual Gajapayana, a traditional journey of tamed elephants to Mysuru city from the woods. The award will be presented regularly in recognition of the work of mahouts and Kavadis who actively participate in operations to prevent human-wildlife conflict, capture wild animals, successfully conduct these operations, and excel in training and caring for captured elephants. Arjuna, who was captured during the Khedda operation in Kakanakote in 1968, participated in the Dasara celebrations 22 times and carried the 750 kg golden howdah 8 times. He won the appreciation of the nation for performing a highly demanding job elegantly. The award has been established to ensure Arjuna's name remains eternal, as he sacrificed his life to save forest staff. The Dasara elephant selection committee selected the names of the duo for the first Arjuna Award. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Kanaka Durga temple to celebrate eco-friendly Dasara
Vijayawada: The NTR district administration and endowments department are preparing for the grand celebration of the 11-day Dasara festivities at the Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri, scheduled from September 22 to October 2. In a significant step towards making the festivities environment-friendly, the administration has decided to completely phase out single-use plastic items, including plastic water pouches distributed to devotees for drinking water purposes in the sarva darshan queues during the festival. Plastic water pouches have been a major contributor to plastic pollution, with lakhs of these packets being arranged every year for distribution to devotees in the temple queue lines during Dasara. In fact, a record 15 lakh water pouches were distributed to devotees during the Dasara festivities last year by the temple authorities. While the temple authorities also distribute drinking water through water bottles in the queue lines, the focus will now shift to using only biodegradable and recyclable materials. District collector Dr. G Lakshmisha has issued clear instructions to the temple authorities and concerned departments to ensure that single-use plastic items are not used during this year's Dasara celebrations. "Only biodegradable and recyclable plastic items should be utilized during the Dasara festival celebrations at Indrakeeladri temple," the collector emphasized, adding that the same applies to items used for drinking water distribution in devotees' queue lines. He also advised the temple authorities to encourage donors to provide drinking water in recyclable plastic water bottles instead of water packets. This move aligns with the state government's announcement of a complete ban on the usage of single-use plastic (SUP) items across 17 cities in Andhra Pradesh, including Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati, and other major cities, effective October 2. The ban aims to put an end to the plastic menace and promote sustainable practices.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- New Indian Express
Vijayawada city gears up for 11-day grand Dasara celebrations
VIJAYAWADA: NTR District Collector G Lakshmisha and Vijayawada City Commissioner of Police (CP) SV Rajasekhar Babu stated that devotees will be given top priority during the upcoming Dasara festivities at Sri Kanaka Durga temple on Indrakeeladri, with preparations already underway to ensure a smooth and memorable experience. 'Taking inspiration from last year's successful celebrations, we are integrating technology and AI tools to enhance the overall experience for devotees,' they said. The 11-day Dasara fete is scheduled to begin from September 22 to October 2. The first coordination meeting was held at the Collectorate on Tuesday, where officials discussed arrangements for special pujas, alankarams, queue lines, barricading, online and spot booking counters, sanitation, water supply, showers at ghats, parking, passes, and the security system. Addressing the media, Collector Lakshmisha said around 1 lakh devotees are expected to visit daily, with the number rising to 1.5 lakh on Moola Nakshatram. A 24x7 Command Control Centre will monitor the rush. Special arrangements will be made for devotees participating in events like Laksha Kumkumarchana and Chandi Homam. Focus will be laid on queue lines, distribution of Laddu Prasadam, Annaprasadam, drinking water, and sanitation. He instructed departments to complete all arrangements by September 20. Police Commissioner Rajasekhar Babu said strict measures will be implemented to prevent inconvenience to pilgrims. 'Last year, we had only three or four drones. This year, 42 drones and about 5,000 CCTV cameras in the Vijayawada Commissionerate will be used for surveillance,' he said. Traffic and parking management is also being prioritised. The CP added that coordination meetings and field visits will be held over the next 50 days to ensure the success of the festival in a spiritually vibrant atmosphere. Temple EO VK Seena Naik said the Navaratri celebrations of Goddess Kanaka Durga will be organised in a grand manner. Joint Collector S Ilakkiya and others were present.
