Strong odour of garbage has overcome the incense of arati in Varanasi

The pleasing incense filling the atmosphere during arati and other rituals has been overcome by the strong odour of garbage. This is the scene at one of the most spectacular ghats in Varanasi, the Dasawamedh Ghats. The Ghats, which is centrally located and witnesses round the year activities, has started to crumble, as reflected in its broken steps and ruptured platforms. While the rec

eding Ganga had left heavy deposition oil silt and mud on the embankments, the dumping of leftovers of puja and other rituals on the ghat had turned the embankments murky. Loads of rotten flowers, garlands, and plastic bags can be found floating nears the embankments and wastes from other ghats are also carried along river banks. "The renovated steps and platforms have started to rupture, unable to withstand even two bouts of monsoon season. The stone slabs that were fixed to the steps and platforms have started to crumble, some of them already uprooted from their original place", said Vinod Majhi, one of the local boatmen and residents of the locality.

Source: Terragreen