Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi to ban plastic from next month; water offerings in plastic bottles won't be not allowed

Starting August 11, plastic items will no longer be allowed inside the Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple premises, the temple administration announced. The move aims to maintain cleanliness and a pollution-free environment at the holy site. Posters declaring the ban have already been placed around the temple, informing visitors that plastic containers will not be permitted, a PTI report stated.

Temple officials have requested devotees to support this initiative by not carrying plastic vessels while visiting the dham. They clarified that offering water to Lord Shiva using plastic bottles or containers will also not be allowed once the ban takes effect.

The awareness campaign began on the first Monday of the Shravan month and has been encouraging pilgrims to use alternatives to plastic for carrying water and offerings.

Administration outlines purpose

Vishwabhushan Mishra, Chief Executive Officer of the temple, told PTI, “Kashi Vishwanath Dham is not only a spiritual centre but can also become a model for cleanliness and environmental protection. This is an effort to make the sacred dham pollution-free and preserve it for future generations.”

The administration has also made a broader appeal to devotees from all parts of the country to avoid bringing any plastic to the temple and to adopt eco-friendly practices.

To ensure compliance, plastic checks have been installed at entry points of the temple. Officials said the ban is being supported by the municipal corporation, several NGOs, and local volunteers.

The temple authorities also plan to expand the campaign across the city in the future to promote wider environmental awareness.

(Inputs from PTI)