GHMC's Innovative Decision Regarding Old God Photos and Broken Idols

Naturally, many people keep and worship photos and idols of deities in their homes. When these photos or idols become damaged or broken, some people leave them near temples, while others immerse them in canals or water bodies. Some, despite feeling uncomfortable, end up disposing of them with household waste. However, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has found a permanent and respectful solution to the problem of disposing of old deity photos and broken idols in Hyderabad city.

A Key Initiative by GHMC and ISKCON

Generally, devotees dispose of old deity photos in rivers, lakes, or garbage dumps, causing them to end up in municipal waste and eventually in dumping yards. Sacred images that were once worshipped with devotion being treated as waste hurts the sentiments of devotees. To address this issue, GHMC Commissioner RV Karnan, in collaboration with the management of the ISKCON Temple at Banjara Hills, has launched an innovative recycling initiative.

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Under this new system, residents can voluntarily submit their old deity photos and broken idols at the ISKCON Temple located on Road No. 12, Banjara Hills. For this purpose, devotees are required to register their details on the temple's website. The collected photos are then given a traditional "Udvasana Puja" every day after 11:00 AM.

A Respectful Farewell Through Udvasana Puja

According to Hindu tradition, performing this ritual ensures that the divine presence associated with the photos is respectfully and devotionally bid farewell without any form of disrespect. After the ritual is completed, the items are recycled in an environmentally friendly manner. ISKCON volunteers carefully separate wooden frames, glass pieces, and paper materials from the photos using specialized equipment.

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Recycling of Photos and Broken Idols

The separated materials are then sent to appropriate recycling industries. This environmental and spiritual initiative, which began as a pilot project, is also being implemented at the Hanuman Temple in Yousufguda on June 13. On this occasion, the Commissioner emphasized that waste can be transformed into a valuable resource when it is properly segregated at its source.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I submit old god photos and broken idols in Hyderabad?

Residents can submit them at the ISKCON Temple on Road No. 12, Banjara Hills. The initiative is also being implemented at the Hanuman Temple in Yousufguda.

How do I register to give old deity photos to ISKCON?

Devotees must register their details on the ISKCON temple's website before submitting old deity photos and broken idols. Submission is voluntary.

What is Udvasana Puja?

Udvasana Puja is a traditional ritual performed every day after 11:00 AM on the collected photos. In Hindu tradition it respectfully bids farewell to the divine presence associated with them.

What happens to the photos and idols after the puja?

ISKCON volunteers use specialized equipment to separate wooden frames, glass pieces and paper materials. These are then sent to appropriate recycling industries.

Who launched this initiative with ISKCON?

GHMC Commissioner RV Karnan launched it in collaboration with the management of the ISKCON Temple at Banjara Hills. It began as a pilot project.

Why not immerse old god photos in water bodies or leave them near temples?

Old photos left in rivers, lakes or garbage dumps often end up in municipal waste and dumping yards, which hurts devotees' sentiments. This system offers a respectful alternative.