Rajkot, November 4: A nationwide training programme on reusing sacred waste began in Rajkot with the aim of collecting flowers offered at religious sites and converting them into useful products. The four-day training is being held from November 3 to 6, 2025, at the Panchanath Mahadev Temple complex, organised jointly by the Rajkot Municipal Corporation and INTEC (Indian National Art and Cultural Heritage Trust).
As per report, the inaugural session on November 3 was attended by Deputy Commissioner Chetanbhai Nandani, Solid Waste Department chairman Nileshbhai Jalu and Panchanath Temple president Devangbhai Mankad. The programme focuses on creating income opportunities for women’s self-help groups by recycling temple flowers into eco-friendly items such as incense sticks, natural dyes, organic manure and handmade paper. Participants, including INTEC representatives, municipal officials and community members, are receiving hands-on instruction in waste segregation, processing and value addition.
The training underlines an approach that blends environmental responsibility with cultural sensitivity. Organisers emphasise that temples serve not only as centres of faith but also as custodians of tradition, and that the initiative preserves traditional knowledge while addressing contemporary environmental challenges. Coordinators expressed appreciation for the support of the Panchanath Temple Trust and described the effort as a significant step toward positioning Rajkot as a model city for sustainable heritage management.
