Chhath festivities over, mess left in Phagwara

The festive spirit of Chhath Puja here turned into a scene of neglect and environmental concern as heaps of garbage, discarded offerings, and broken idols of clay were found scattered along the canal and adjoining roads after the conclusion of the four-day-long celebrations today.

Even after the final rituals of offering ‘arghya’ to the rising sun early this morning, large quantities of waste, including polythene bags, food remnants, flowers, and religious materials, were seen floating in the canal waters and strewn across its embankments. The roads leading to the ghats also presented an unhygienic and unpleasant sight, with litter accumulating at every corner.

When The Tribune team visited the canal area this afternoon, the aftermath of the celebrations was clearly visible. The banks that had echoed with devotional songs and rituals just hours earlier were now covered with piles of garbage, creating a stark contrast to the sanctity of the occasion. Neither the devotees, nor welfare committee members appeared to have made any effort to clean the area after the conclusion of the puja.

Shockingly, even idols of Chhath Maiya and other ritual materials were found discarded near the canal, adding to the environmental mess. Residents and passersby expressed concern over the lack of civic responsibility and the absence of municipal staff.

Environmentalists have also urged devotees and organising committees to adopt eco-friendly practices, avoid plastic use, and ensure proper disposal of waste materials after religious functions.

Meanwhile corporation Sanitary Officer Gurwinder Singh ensured to initiate for proper sanitation on Wednesday.