GHMC to Collect Old Deity Photos and Idols at Charminar and Other Zones This Saturday

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is set to organize the next edition of Project Udvasana this Saturday to collect old deity photographs, damaged puja frames, and broken idols. In the Charminar zone, local residents can bring these sacred materials to the Bhu Lakshmi Mandir between 8:30 am and 11 am for respectful disposal and scientific recycling.

The initiative aims to address a common household challenge by bridging traditional religious practices with responsible waste management. Many households preserve damaged or old sacred items because of the lack of a proper disposal system. Consequently, these items are often left under trees, near temples, or in public spaces, eventually becoming part of the municipal waste stream.

Under Project Udvasana, citizens can hand over their worshipped items at designated collection centres. The collected materials will first undergo an 'Udvasana Puja' to respectfully withdraw the divine presence. Once the ritual is complete, the items will be scientifically segregated. The GHMC will then ensure the materials are refurbished and reused wherever possible, or processed through environmentally responsible recycling.

The upcoming drive builds on the success of two previous collection campaigns. Those initial drives recorded a combined total of 163 drop-offs, with 100 recorded in the first drive and 63 in the second. In total, nearly 500 kilograms of worshipped sacred items were collected for dignified and eco-friendly processing.

In addition to the Bhu Lakshmi Mandir in Charminar, the GHMC has set up collection points at several other locations across the city. These include the Shiva Anjaneya Swamy Temple in the Secunderabad zone, Sri Venkateshwara Temple (Hari Hari Kshetram) in the Rajendranagar zone, Sri Dharm Sai Mandir in the Shamshabad zone, Sri Sri Sri Mahankali Pochamma Devalayam in the Khairatabad zone, and the Sri Vishwanjaneya Bhaktha Samajam Temple Trust in Golconda.

The collection drive will run strictly from 8:30 am to 11 am on Saturday. Local residents who have inquiries or require further details about the drive can email the organizers at [email protected].