Bhubaneswar: In a unique initiative to promote sustainable celebrations, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) introduced eco-friendly gulal made from recycled temple flowers for this year’s Holi, which was celebrated yesterday across the country. The initiative aimed to encourage the use of natural colours while reducing floral waste generated in the city’s temples.
For several months leading up to the festival, BMC collected large quantities of discarded flowers from temples across Bhubaneswar. Instead of allowing the offerings to be thrown into drains or dumped in waste yards, the civic body processed them into aromatic, chemical-free gulal. The flowers were dried, powdered and converted into natural colours suitable for Holi celebrations.
Officials said floral waste from nearly 700 temples had been gathered over the past six months as part of the initiative. Through this process, the municipal corporation produced around three quintals of organic gulal, demonstrating how religious waste can be reused in an environmentally responsible manner.
Synthetic Holi colours often contain chemicals that can cause skin irritation and environmental harm. By introducing gulal made from temple flowers, BMC aimed to provide residents with a safer and more sustainable alternative.
The initiative is part of the corporation’s broader effort to promote a circular waste management system, where organic waste is recycled instead of being discarded. Temple flowers form a significant portion of biodegradable waste in urban areas, and their improper disposal can lead to clogged drains and pollution.
Civic officials said the initiative successfully highlighted how cultural traditions and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand, offering a model for greener festival celebrations in the future.
