SHRAVANABELAGOLA: In the last one week, nearly five lakh devotees have visited Shravanabelagola town to be part of the ongoing Mahamastakabhisheka celebrations. One can imagine the amount of litter that could accumulate when such large gatherings takes place. But on the contrary, no garbage can be spotted on the roads. Hundreds of volunteers who have landed in here from different parts of India are ensuring no litter is found during the veneration ceremony.
There are volunteer organisations from Maharashtra who walk in groups on different streets collecting garbage and plastic. “We go from one street to another singing devotional songs and collecting litter. Following us, a number of residents too have joined hands to keep the town clean,” said a volunteer who has come from Kolhapur, Maharashtra. The cadets from Scouts and Guides too have come here in large numbers and have turned out to be useful for devotees at Vindhyagiri. “I have come from Udupi district and I am enjoying rendering my service to the devotees,” said Akshaya, a Scout cadet.
Boys and men sporting T-shirts with ‘Veer Seva Dal’ written can be spotted at every nook and corner of Shravanabelagola. They are trained to handle any kind of devotee rush and also provide assistance to Jain monks and nuns. “Veera Seva Dal is active in Karnataka and Maharashtra. The members travel to all Jain programmes,” said a senior volunteer from Veer Seva Dal.