Sacred Circularity

The Punarvartan initiative in Maharashtra has transformed the ritual of idol immersion into a zero-waste, community-led practice that preserves tradition, nature, and resources

- ANIL SWARUP

Punaravartan is a Sanskrit term which means rebirth or renewal—a refreshment of form. In texts like the Bhagavad Gita, it is used as a reminder to Arjuna that Nature works in cycles and that the closing of the loop is essential in all of life's processes. This circularity is inherent in Indian philosophy, and the Hindu rituals of immersion—known as Visarjan—are a reminder that what has come from the Earth must return to its source. However, in modern times, the immersion rituals, when done with toxic chemical and industrial materials, have become a cause of significant pollution.

The Punaravartan campaign aims to return circularity to Indian festivals, to ensure that none of the materials used in celebrations create waste, and that natural resources are conserved and reused with respect. Specifically, in the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, it addresses the problem caused by the immersion of lakhs of idols into natural water bodies, creating pollution. It encourages the use of natural soils (shaadu maati) and the practice of immersing such idols at home. The resulting clay sludge can then be collected and returned to the artisans, who can reuse it endlessly.

This achieves two things: firstly, it prevents the immersion of idols into natural water bodies; and secondly, it conserves the clay—a non-renewable resource that is rapidly depleting—and loops it back into the supply chain.