Dear editor
OVER the last few weeks a number of volunteers began cleaning on the seawall. This most commendable effort must be supported by all, as keeping the environment clean is not only a civic duty, but one as a human being. As a Hindu priest, I am disheartened by the remains of ‘Pooja’ (ritualistic worship) paraphernalia, murtis and other items scattered on the seawall and beaches across the country. During many visits to the beaches, I am saddened to see persons walking, driving and even imbibing on these items. I cannot help but acknowledge the remarks from non-Hindus who rightfully sees these acts as ‘unclean, dirty and disrespectful’. This reflects negatively on the entire Hindu community; desecrating Mother Earth is not a Hindu value.

It time that we reconsider:
1. What materials to be used in rituals?
2. How to dispose of used ‘pooja’ items?
3. Where can Hindus engage in water-based rituals?
Generally, all pooja items are biodegradable. However, with recent inventions such as foil, plastic, etc, our poojas are churning out unnecessary waste. In fact, a pooja usually concludes with a Havan (Fire offering), which purifies the atmosphere. As such, we should always be cognisant of any waste materials we leave behind.
Dwipedi (1993) in Human Responsibility and the Environment: A Hindu Perspective explained that Hindu scriptures defined humanity’s relationship to nature and noted that an important part of that conduct is maintaining proper sanitation. For Hindus, water is considered a powerful medium of purification and also as a source of energy. In the Rig Vedas, prayers are offered to the deity of water: ‘The waters in the’ sky, the waters of rivers, and water in the well whose source is the ocean, may all these sacred waters protect me’ (Rigveda 7.49.2). As such, from that standpoint, the healing property and medicinal value of water has been universally accepted, only when it is pure and free from all pollution. As a deterrent to polluting the environment, persons engaging in unsocial activities and in acts polluting the environment were cursed from a scriptural viewpoint : ‘A person, who is engaged in killing creatures, polluting wells, and ponds and tanks, and destroying gardens, certainly goes to hell’ (Padmapurana, Bhoomikhananda 96:7-8).

In 2009, the Convocation of Hindu Spiritual Leaders adopted the inaugural Hindu Declaration on Climate Change at the Parliament of the World Religions, which was later re-introduced in the lead-up to the Paris Climate Conference in 2015, gaining endorsements from various Hindu organisations and activists worldwide. Within the declaration, Hindu leaders made specific references to teachings from religious texts to highlight how Hindus have an inherent duty to protect the environment.
Indeed, in the midst of various global discourses on pollution, religious leaders in Guyana need to become vocal advocates for changing certain practices with a view to protecting the environment. We, as priests, must be the drivers for this much-needed societal change. We must explain that no bad omen will befall if things are done differently– moreso, in keeping the environment clean. After all, cleanliness is not next to godliness but it IS godliness.

Tay (2019) cited the Atharva Veda mantras to remind Hindus of the need to behave respectfully towards “Mother Earth” by making sure that any personal activities do not hurt her vitals, body, or appearance. Many Poojas involve oblations to Prithvi Maa (Mother Earth). Tay cited the Puranas on the Ganges River, or Ma Ganga, which is depicted as the Goddess who descended to Earth to save the world. This forms the basis for Hindus worshipping at the ‘river’ side.

Given the religious importance of keeping the environment clean, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the country’s largest Hindu organisation has been appealing to Hindus to use only biodegradable items in Poojas and that no foil papers, murtis, plastic or cloth should be dumped into the waterways. Other recommendations from the said body included placing leaves, flowers, fruits and other biodegradable materials into deep waters. In fact, for Ganesh Chaturthi, the Sabha has urged persons not to immerse Ganapati murtis since many are not biodegradable. Persons were urged to simply sprinkle water on the murtis and to keep them. It must be noted that the immersion is not sanctioned by the scriptures, rather it was an adopted practice in the 18th century. Persons need to understand that being environmentally conscious is actually honouring Mother Earth and Ganga. It can be considered grossly disrespectful to these great Devis to engage in littering. In Guyana, pollution from Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations is not a major issue since it is not celebrated on a large scale. However, it has shown potential to expand.

Many Hindus opt to dispose of broken and old murtis into the waterways. This should be done only to clay murtis. Kumar (2019) warned that many murtis are made with Plaster of Paris (PoP), sometimes with small quantities of plastic and cement. PoP contains calcium sulphate hemihydrate, a material that takes anywhere between months and years to fully dissolve in water. In doing so, it reduces oxygen levels in the water, killing the fish and other aquatic life.  Additionally, the bright paints contain heavy metals such as lead, nickel, cadmium, and mercury. These heavy metals can affect the PH balance of the water, making it more acidic and thus further poisoning its inhabitants (Kumar, 2019).

In 2019, Pandit Rajin Balgobind explained, ‘Visarjanam’ [immersion] forms part of the conclusion of every Puja and items such as murtis, flags, sarees should not pollute our environment. To this end, he recommended that: 1. Sari (used in Pooja) should be gifted to someone, or a mandir, or used by the individuals themselves. 2. Fruits, including coconuts can be consumed as “prasadam.” 3. Broken murti can be fixed and this is completely acceptable. 4. Pindas from Shraadh rituals can be fed to cows.

It is important to note that it is not compulsory to hoist flags. Alternatives to this can include hoisting small flags or hoisting same at home.

Earlier in the year, Pandit Roop Sukhram, a Guyanese Hindu scholar based in Florida wrote extensively on disposing after-Poojaa items. He echoed similar sentiments in condemning the dumping of items into the ocean since it is considered a ‘nasty, disgraceful, stupid and sinful’ act. For Bhümau-nikhanatim or disposing of Poojaa items, he recommended burial. He cited Yajur Veda – Taittireeya Braahmana as the authority. He explained by the performance of Yajña (worship), that Lord Shiva, through the features of both Prithivee – Mother Earth and Ambikaa Maa is being worshipped. As such, in every respect, the Vedas have endorsed that everything came out of Bhagavan Shiva – God. Hence, since the Earth is Rudra, subsequently, upon the completion of this blissful Yajña all items are committed to the Earth. Thus, the items of the Poojaa are buried. From this standpoint, it is proper and acceptable to bury all Poojaa items upon the completion of any Poojaa.

Apart from the issue of disposing used Pooja items, Hindus have been asking that areas be designated for their worship. To this end, I urge the local NDC and municipality to work with Hindu leaders to allocate places for worship. The constitution caters for religious freedom and as such, the State must act as the enabler to allow for this fundamental right to be respected. This can help in controlling the waste since it is no secret that non-Hindus also use the waterways for worship.

I urge my Hindu brothers and sisters that for their next pooja:
1. Please ensure no waste is left behind
2. Use biodegradable materials: Example instead of a foil paper, use banana leaves; instead of dumping plastic bottles, use alternatives
3. Ensure there is a disposal plan, which factors in environmental care
4. Recycle items which can be reused.
5. If waterways are to be used to throw away biodegradable items, try to disperse as far out in the water as possible.

Further, I urge that pandits and mandir devotees use Vasant Panchmi, Phagwah, Ganga Dusshera and other Earth-themed occasions to explain the value of keeping the environment clean to their congregation.

It is evident that Hinduism has always believed in environment care. Additionally, I am appealing to devotees to desist from disposing of domestic wastes into the waterways. Every time we desecrate the environment, think of it as hurting the same Goddess, to whom we offer reverence. As outlined above, there are many alternative methods which can be employed to guide our conduct. It must be pointed out that using any above methods WILL NOT reduce the benefits derived from the pooja nor will it bring any harm to you and your family. These are all superstitious constructs which must be rejected.

Lastly, I urge all citizens to play their part in keeping our environment clean, and free from pollution.

Your’s in Dharma
Pandit Deodat Persaud
Reliance Settlement Sanatan Mandir