After Tripurari Purnima, 30 sanitation workers worked in two shifts to clear nirmalya from area; a little over a month ago, hundreds of dead fish were found floating on the surface of the water after the observation of Sarvapitri Amavasya
Devotees gather for Tripurari Purnima aarti at Banganga on Wednesday. PIC/ASHISH RAJE
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday launched a special two-day drive at the Banganga tank at Walkeshwar following Tripurari Purnima — a special aarti that mirrors the aarti along the Ganga ghats of Varanasi. Over 30 sanitation workers were deployed to clean out ‘nirmalya’ from the tank and its precincts. A little over a month ago, hundreds of dead fish were found floating on the surface of the water after the observation of Sarvapitri Amavasya.
Banganga is a centuries-old heritage precinct and a favoured site for prayers during Hindu festivals and rituals, due to its ghats overlooking a tank that has a natural water source. The site was undergoing a heritage restoration project, which was halted during the past week. Over the two days (Wednesday and Thursday), BMC removed approximately 4 metric tonnes of waste from the Banganga precinct following prayers and rituals. Unlike September, there has been no damage to marine life in the pond this time.
BMC sanitation workers cleaning the area. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Manish Valunju, additional municipal commissioner of D ward, which has jurisdiction over the area, said, “The last time, multiple items used during rituals, such as cooked food, oil, and nirmalya, were immersed in the Banganga tank’s water by devotees. This time, that has not been the case. Nirmalya was collected on Wednesday and Thursday as part of a two-day special cleanliness drive.” A total of 30 sanitation workers worked in two shifts to clear nirmalya from the area.
Walunju added, “The ongoing work for restoration of the premises was stopped for 4 days, and will restart now.” In September, the BMC had removed seven truckloads of floral waste, religious offerings and dead fish from the Banganga tank. Due to the adverse effect on marine life, BMC had to replenish the oxygen levels in the tank and had set up dewatering pumps to clean out water from the tank, amid demands that separate artificial tanks be made available for ritual offerings so the water and nirmalya can be scientifically disposed of later.
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