Hindus urged to keep Shree Krishn Janmashtami visarjan eco-friendly as festival ends
Hindus celebrating Shree Krishn Janmashtami have been urged to carry out the flower dispersal ritual (visarjan) with utmost respect and in line with environmental guidelines as the seven-day celebration wraps up tonight. The Sabha’s national secretary, Pt Krishneel Krishan Tiwari, urged people to safeguard the sanctity of nature alongside sacred rituals.
We humbly request all members of the public, mandalis, mahila mandals, and Sanatan temples to disperse flowers in the sea or designated natural water bodies in a peaceful and orderly manner, Mr Tiwari said.
Do not dispose of any plastics, synthetic materials, garlands with wires, or any non-biodegradable items into the sea or rivers. Use only natural flowers and biodegradable materials during the dispersal. Ensure the safety of all participants, especially children, during the visarjan process. And, follow any local guidelines provided by town or city councils or the ministry concerned.
The Sabha reminded everyone to uphold their religion (dharma) and responsibility to Mother Nature (prakriti) while completing this sacred ritual. The Pacific Recycling Foundation (PRF) highlighted that this is an opportune time to embrace sustainable ways of celebrating. Throwing plastics and other harmful materials into the sea after religious festivals remains an environmental concern in Fiji, PRF founder Amitesh Deo said. Such practices contribute to ocean pollution, endanger marine life, disrupt ecosystems, and can pose risks to human health. This is a plea to all religious groups participating in visarjan following the celebrations this weekend to be vigilant about the materials they immerse. Items like plastics and other non-biodegradable materials should never end up in our oceans.
In addition to the religious significance, there is a growing push across communities to couple spiritual observances with environmental stewardship. Local authorities and community groups have increasingly endorsed practices such as providing disposal bins near coastal areas and coordinating police presence to ensure safety and order during seaside rituals. Observers note that these measures reflect a broader trend of aligning traditional celebrations with sustainable practices, which may help protect marine ecosystems and public health while preserving cultural heritage. The positive outlook is that such collaborations can foster a greener future without diminishing the spiritual meaning of the festivals.
Additional comments for readers:
– If you are organizing visarjan, consider coordinating with local councils for designated natural water bodies and disposal points.
– Favor biodegradable flower offerings and avoid garlands with wires or plastics.
– Ensure children are supervised and keep the event orderly to reduce environmental impact.
Summary in Fijian
Na iVakamacala ena Viti
Na kalou Tiwari a kerea na vatulewa kei na gone, na mandalis, na mahina mandal, kei na Sanatan me ra veiqaravi ki na wai kei na vanua ni wai me balavu tiko na kena vakaroroi. E kerea me ra vakayagataka na flower petals kei na materials totoka ni biodegrade, ka sega ni vakayagataki plastik kei na materials e sega ni biodegrade. E vakatakila talega na i tukutuku ni vanua ni wai me okata na lawa ni koro kei na matanitu, me vukea na kena maroroi na vanua kei na bula ni wai. E tukuna talega na Pacific Recycling Foundation ni bibi me maroroi na wai kei na ibalebale ni vakarau ni veika ni veikauyaki ena gata ki na ca. Na nodrau vakataki ni veika, ena vakavinakataki kina na i vakarau ni vanua kei na veika ni bula ena vuravura ni wai.
Logical note:
This piece highlights how religious observances can be harmonized with environmental protection. By emphasizing biodegradable materials, designated disposal points, and adherence to local guidelines, the festival practices can protect marine ecosystems while preserving cultural and spiritual significance. The inclusion of community and NGO input mirrors a broader trend toward sustainable celebration across Fiji, potentially serving as a model for other festivals and regions.
If you’d like, I can also add a short “how-to” style sidebar for organizers with practical steps and a pull-quote from Tiwari or the PRF, and suggest follow-up coverage on how these eco-friendly visarjan efforts unfold in coastal communities.
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