Statewide Cleanliness Drive Ahead of Makar Sankranti
Mangalore: As Makar Sankranti approaches, the Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Programme (SKDRDP), in collaboration with self-help groups (SHGs) and volunteers, will launch a massive cleanliness campaign across Karnataka from January 7 to 13. The initiative aims to clean 16,902 places of worship, emphasizing the spiritual and environmental value of cleanliness.
“Cleanliness at religious centres brings peace and tranquillity to devotees. By starting with places of worship, we hope to inspire every household in Karnataka to embrace cleanliness,” said SKDRDP Executive Director Anil Kumar SS. Inspired by Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade and Hemavathi V Heggade, the campaign operates under the slogan, ‘Our Step Towards Cleanliness’.
The campaign will mobilize an impressive 3,99,437 volunteers, including SHG members, temple management boards, Navjeevan committees, disaster management teams, Swachhata Senanis, gram panchayat members, and local dignitaries. This biannual tradition, held during Makar Sankranti and Independence Day, focuses on cleaning temples, mosques, churches, and basadis.
Key activities include clearing weeds, cleaning temple ponds (kalyanis), riverbanks, sacred groves, and halls, as well as sanitizing toilets and streets around places of worship. Volunteers will raise awareness about reducing plastic waste and avoiding dumping items into waterbodies.
This year’s drive ensures all religious centres are prepared for Makar Sankranti on January 14, marking the auspicious Uttarayana period. The effort highlights Karnataka’s commitment to blending spirituality with environmental responsibility.
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