Kashi Vishwanath Bans Plastic for Sawan

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi has banned plastic during the holy month of Sawan to protect the Ganga river from plastic pollution.

This means no plastic pouches for milk, plastic bottles for Gangajal, or polythene bags for flowers and prasad.

Instead, pilgrims are asked to use traditional copper, brass, steel vessels, bamboo baskets, and paper bags.

The temple expects 70 to 80 lakh pilgrims and hopes to prevent tonnes of plastic waste from entering the river.

Studies show that plastic pollution is a big problem in the Ganga, with microplastics found in high concentrations.

The ban is a test of whether faith can drive environmental change.

Shopkeepers near the temple have switched to biodegradable alternatives, and pilgrims are supporting the initiative.

The goal is to stop pollution at its source rather than cleaning it up later.