On every Maha Shivratri, we witness enough debates on social media about wasting milk. In many temples across India, devotees offer milk as a part of their rituals. Especially on Maha Shivratri, offering milk to lord Shiva is a must-do. Normally this milk was either discarded or wasted after the offerings were made. However, at Bengaluru’s renowned Gangadhareshwara Shiva Temple, this long-standing practice has been transformed into something interestingly good.

The Problem: Wasting Precious Milk

Every Monday, as part of the temple's special Shaivaite prayers, devotees offer milk to Lord Shiva. However, due to the purity required for the ritual, this milk could not be reused, leading to significant waste. The temple authorities were determined to find a way to turn this waste into something beneficial for the community and the environment.

The Solution: Turning Milk into Buttermilk

Instead of letting the milk go to waste, the temple authorities decided to ferment the milk into buttermilk, which is then served to visitors every Tuesday. This initiative not only prevents waste but also provides a refreshing and nutritious drink to the public, free of charge.

Eshwarananda Swamy, the temple head, says, "Milk is a very important product, and it is better not to waste it. By turning it into buttermilk, we can serve the community while staying true to our values of sustainability."

Hygiene and Quality Assurance

To maintain the sanctity of the ritual, the milk used for buttermilk is kept separate from other offerings like vermilion or turmeric, ensuring only pure milk is used. This ensures that the temple continues to honor its religious practices while also making use of the milk in a meaningful and sustainable way.

Maintaining strict hygiene is essential to the temple, and the authorities have taken every precaution to ensure the buttermilk is safe and of high quality. As one temple official noted, "We ensure the highest standards of cleanliness during the preparation process. We’ve also consulted food experts to ensure the quality of the buttermilk we serve is top-notch."

Not only this but a Plastic-Free Initiative

The temple's commitment to sustainability goes beyond just the buttermilk itself. Plastic is not encouraged in any form at the temple, in line with their eco-friendly practices. The temple authorities have specifically stated that buttermilk is not offered to those who bring plastic utensils. This policy is part of their broader effort to reduce plastic waste and promote the use of environmentally friendly materials.

The buttermilk is served only in eco-friendly containers, ensuring that no plastic is used in the preparation or distribution process. This makes the initiative not only a great example of waste reduction but also a strong stance against the use of plastic in the community.

Sustainability and Inclusivity: A Win-Win for All

Every Tuesday, the freshbuttermilk is distributed to all visitors, regardless of whether they have made an offering. This practice promotes inclusivity, as anyone can enjoy the buttermilk. By eliminating plastic containers and offering a healthy drink to everyone, the temple promotes both community welfare and environmental responsibility.

Location and Accessibility

The GangadhareshwaraTemple is located in Bhuvaneshwari Nagar, T Dasarahalli, Bengaluru, and has become a popular destination not only for spiritual devotion but also for its forward-thinking sustainability practices. Over the past few years, the temple's efforts to turn ritual milk into buttermilk have been widely appreciated by the local community and visitors.

A Symbol of Devotion and Sustainability

This simple yet impactful initiative demonstrates how devotion and sustainability can go hand-in-hand. By transforming milk into buttermilk, the temple not only eliminates waste but also provides a nourishing and environmentally friendly drink to the public. The temple’s efforts to reduce plastic use and encourage eco-friendly alternatives highlight the important role places of worship can play in promoting green practices.