In order to increase the greencover of the district, the temple committee came up with the idea of associating aforestation with faith
Combining faith with the greater cause of environment, the temple authorities of Sri Kannathal Temple in Theni district, Tamil Nadu, in a first, are offering neem tree saplings to devotees as prasadam.
Devotees visiting the temple on Thursday were taken aback when they received neem saplings along with sweet pongal, kumkum, vibuthi, and flowers as prasadam, reported an English daily.
In order to increase the greencover of the district, especially around the residential areas in rural and urban centres, the temple committee — which has joined hands with the district administration — came up with the idea of associating aforestation with faith to promote conservation, the report said.
According to media reports, the idea of offering ‘green prasadam’ was approved by Collector N Venkatachalam and he took personal efforts to supply the required number of saplings.
When the Forest Department expressed its inability to supply saplings of a particular variety, the District Rural Development Agency came forward to help. The government nursery at Boodhipuram offered 500 saplings for distribution as prasadam.
“Tree planting drives should be converted into mass movements to make our surroundings greener. Better results can be expected by associating it with the religious faith of people. Through this exercise, we can expect the devotees to plant the saplings in their locality,” V Baskaran, Superintendent of Police told the daily.
“We are trying to cash in on the sentiments of people to augment the greenery of district. The neem saplings handed out will surely move them,” said a temple organiser, adding that devotees regard it as a blessing from the goddess.
The committee reportedly plans to take up this initiative again during the Sri Veerappa Ayyannar Temple festival to be held in the middle of this month.
Earlier this week, the District Collector of Ernakulam banned the use of plastic disposables and other non-biodegradable materials from the Malayattoor Church area in Kerala, declaring it a green zone.
The Ernakulam Angamaly diocese and the church authorities are taking proper measures and steps to stick to the green protocol in the pilgrimage area under the ‘Clean Malayattoor Pilgrimage’ campaign.
Going green
Sri Kannathal Temple in Tamil Nadu offered neem tree saplings to devotees as prasadam.
The temple authorities plan to see this ‘green’ effort churn into a plantation drive.
The committee plans to take up this initiative during the Sri Veerappa Ayyannar Temple festival also.
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