Plastic banned in Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Local vendors who were earlier selling flowers, holy water, sweets, and milk in plastic containers, have switched to bamboo baskets, cardboard boxes, trays, and small steel glasses. Cardboard is now used for sweets, while bamboo baskets hold flowers, diyas, and other pooja items.

Varanasi sees 1–1.5 lakh visitors daily, rising to 2–2.5 lakh on weekends. During Sawan, the temple recorded about 10 lakh devotees. Clear instructions have been issued to temple and police staff to strictly enforce the ban.

“As of yesterday, no plastic is allowed inside the temple campus,” said Vishwa Bhushan, CEO of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Mandir Trust, adding that bamboo baskets and steel glasses had been distributed to promote eco-friendly alternatives.

Shopkeepers, however, said the transition was difficult due to old inventory. “We have been using plastic baskets and pots for years, but in view of the government’s initiative, we have now switched to bamboo, cardboard, and steel items,” said Raj Kumar Seth, a vendor for four decades.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Shambhu Saran said the authorities will next remove plastic chairs, coolers, and other such items from the premises to fully align with the plastic-free goal. Last year, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation had banned shops within two kilometres of the temple.