Langar to be served in eco-friendly plates in Shimla temples

Advertisement

Shimla, July 12

As an eco-friendly measure, the district administration has decided to serve langar in taur leaf plates in all temples of Shimla district, with the initiative beginning with the Tara Devi temple from June 14.

Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said the Saksham Cluster Level Federation working in the Sunni block under the National Rural Livelihood Mission under the aegis of the District Rural Development Authority (DRDA) has been given the responsibility of making these plates. It has been given an order to make 5,000 plates in the first phase, he added.

Kashyap said the district administration was making efforts to promote employment opportunities among self-help groups to strengthen the rural economy. “More than 2,900 women are engaged in making leaf plates, but due to the low demand of these plates, they did not produce much. In this direction, the administration has now decided that langar will be served in green leaf plates in all temples of the district,” said Kashyap. In such a situation, in the first phase, it is being started from Tara Devi temple.

Representatives of the Saksham Cluster Level Federation informed the DC about the production of leaf plates but pointed out the less availability of taur leaves in the district. Kashyap assured them that with the cooperation of the Forest Department, taur trees will be planted in the upcoming plantation campaign so that there is no shortage of leaves in the future.

In Himachal Pradesh’s culture, the importance of green leaf plate used for serving delicious food during dhams in the lower areas of the state is paramount.

This tradition still continues in many areas of Dev Bhoomi, which has a religious and cultural history. The leaf plate made of taur promotes social harmony as well as protects environment. The plate is made from leaves of a vine called taur. This vine is found only in the medium altitude districts of Shimla, Mandi, Kangra and Hamirpur.

Age-old tradition in lower hills

In Himachal Pradesh’s culture, the importance of green leaf plate used for serving delicious food during dhams in the lower areas of the state is paramount. This tradition still continues in many areas of Dev Bhoomi, which has a religious and cultural history. The leaf plate, made of taur, promotes social harmony and protects environment.