Temples to be told to stop using plastic bags: Krishna Palemar

Temples to be told to stop using plastic bags: Krishna Palemar

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, September 28: Temples located in and outside Dakshina Kannada district, will soon be a plastic-free zone after the issuance of a circular by the Government to all temples to stop using plastic carry bags said Minister for Muzrai J. Krishna Palemar.

He was addressing media persons here in the city. He said that at presently plastic bags are used for distributing prasadam (consecrated food). Pollution from plastic litter is a serious problem throughout India--someplace where for generations any disposable containers were biodegradable and tossed aside after use, a habit which doesn’t work well with plastic. He further stated that the temples could use plastic bags made out of bio-degradable plastic. But there are not many industries manufacturing bio-degradable plastic in the State. According to his knowledge, there is only one such industry in the State. Hence the option was to use other bags made out of jute, cloth, paper or any material.

Voicing his opinion on the changes made in performing daily Poojas in the temple, he said that the traditions which were followed earlier are not followed now.  Earlier, temples followed their own tradition in performing pujas and rituals. Some traditions were unique to some temples. In the modern era, those traditions had been sidelined, forgotten or stopped. Such temples which had stopped them will be asked to re-introduce them, he said.

A committee which would be formed in the future will study such traditions which had disappeared. He was of the view that there should not be any lacuna in performing pujas due to the dropping of traditions.

Mr. Palemar said that his department would study if e-booking for sevas could be introduced for selected muzrai temples in the State. Introducing it would be based on the rush of devotees to such temples like Kukke Subrahmanya and Kollur Mookambika.

In Kukke Subrahmanya, the Government was building 306 additional rooms for pilgrims in addition to the existing 318 rooms. His priority was to ensure development of infrastructure facilities and cleanliness at temples.