In a remarkable eco-conscious move, the Kateel Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple in Mangaluru is championing sustainable temple operations by transforming leftover anna prasada into organic fertilizer. The resulting compost, branded Shakambari Compost, is slated for release on World Environment Day, priced affordably at just Rs 10 per kilogram.
This environment-first effort is driven by Mangala Resource Management Pvt Ltd, a firm motivated by the Ramakrishna Mission’s Swacch Mangaluru Abhiyan. Startup founder Dilraj Alva shared with TOI that the project not only focuses on minimizing waste but also ensures that the earnings from compost sales are reinvested into temple cleanliness and upkeep programs.
Kateel temple, for nearly four years, has upheld its identity as a zero-waste religious center. Each day, it produces about 500–600 kg of organic waste and 300–500 kg of recyclables. Dry items like plastic and cardboard are processed at a Material Recovery Facility (MRF), while all organic refuse is converted into compost using ten dedicated pits on-site.
Alva added that vermicomposting, which uses worms to speed up decomposition, is part of the process. Interestingly, discarded pumpkin seeds often sprout into new plants, prompting the addition of a shredding machine to improve compost quality—currently, around 5 kg is shredded daily.
Previously, the nearly two tonnes of monthly compost was used internally for farming. Now, with Shakambari Compost, named after the goddess of produce, the temple seeks to inspire similar models in Karnataka’s top-tier temples.
Chief priest Shriharinarayanadasa Asrana emphasized that the initiative blends tradition with environmental stewardship, aiming to encourage the public to embrace simple, sustainable living.
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