Organizational Profile

What began as a curious case of waste management two years ago has evolved into a dedicated effort to strike a balance between “caring for your devotion” and “keeping the environment clean.” Our story started in 2016 when Sachin Chand, while walking his dog on the beach in Mumbai, observed people tossing small marigold flower garlands packed in polythene bags into the ocean. Intriguingly, he also noticed similar bags beneath a Peepal tree, containing broken idols, photoframes, incense stick cartons, plastic boxes, and colorful pieces of cloth strewn around the base and branches. These materials appeared to be devotional extras, but why were they being disposed of in this manner? This led Sachin on a quest to understand the genesis of such actions.

Sachin embarked on a journey, reaching out to friends, relatives, housing society residents, local shopkeepers, temple priests, and even strangers he encountered. The unanimous response he received was that devotional extras needed to be disposed of with proper “Shudhikaran” – the prescribed Hindu way of disposal outlined in the scriptures (Shastras). These materials were meant to be placed in either soil or water, strictly avoiding dustbins or haphazard disposal to prevent filth, trampling, or interference by animals responding to nature’s call. Consequently, those with access to water bodies would throw the items into oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds, or streams (excluding drains), while others would leave them beneath the sacred Peepal tree. Some would bury them in the ground, and a few would store the flowers and leaves for organic conversion into compost for their plants.

However, Sachin’s observations raised further questions in his mind. Were these truly correct methods of disposing of devotional extras? Were these “Shudhikaran” practices faithfully followed? What happens to the items once they are placed under the Peepal tree or in the water? What about misuse by animals or humans? And most importantly, what impact does this have on the environment?

Motivated to find answers and address the significant concerns, Sachin conceived the idea of providing a service to collect and recycle devotional extras while preserving their spiritual value and maintaining a delicate balance with environmental cleanliness. A formal survey conducted in 2016 validated the need for such a service, with people expressing their willingness to participate if a practical, feasible, and sustainable option was available. Realizing that there was currently no such option, Haarwala Environment and Devotional Care Foundation was born with a vision committed to caring for both devotion and the environment.

Since its inception in 2017, Haarwala Environment and Devotional Care Foundation, headquartered in Mumbai, has established branch networks in Delhi, Kalyan, Pune, and Ahmedabad. Our team of 25 experienced and trained professionals actively promotes awareness and values surrounding devotional extras, as well as the proper and righteous way of disposing them after use. We aim to expand further across the country in the coming months, driven by our unwavering commitment to our vision.