Vishwa Hindu Parishad launches temple cleaning campaign in Maharashtra and Goa for Diwali

In Maharashtra and Goa, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has initiated a temple cleaning and illumination campaign ahead of the Diwali festival, scheduled for Sunday morning. This campaign aims to cover around 5,000 temples, promoting not just cleanliness but also deeper community involvement in temple activities. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in a clean-up that will take place between 7 am to 11 am, with many temples already set up for registration. The initiative includes unfurling and changing saffron flags atop temples, with a focus on rejuvenating the spirit of the community in maintaining their places of worship. The VHP emphasizes the importance of devotees actively managing the temples rather than passively engaging through worship and prasad. In previous years, similar initiatives have led to increased volunteer participation in temple upkeep, highlighting a growing connection between communities and their local temples. The VHP spokesperson expressed a desire for youth to engage more deeply with temples, viewing them as symbols of communal harmony and respect for all sects. The campaign not only aligns with the festive spirit of Diwali but also seeks to foster a sense of responsibility among devotees, aiming to turn temple management into a collective community effort. VHP's previous success in last year’s initiative with 550 temples suggests a positive trend towards enhanced involvement in temple activities and regular maintenance by the community.