Lucknow, May 5 (PTI) Faith, food and a growing environmental consciousness came together in Uttar Pradesh's capital on Tuesday as the first 'Bada Mangal' saw nearly five hundred community feasts organised
across the city, with authorities and citizens jointly pushing for eco-friendly celebrations.
According to the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC), as many as 470 bhandaras (community feasts) were pre-registered this year, with arrangements made for waste segregation at each site and water supply ensured through 79 tankers across the city. Those unregistered could be way more, according to officials.
Observed on Tuesdays of Hindu calendar month of Jyeshtha and dedicated to Lord Hanuman, 'Bada Mangal' is marked in Lucknow and surrounding areas with large-scale distribution of food. While traditional offerings such as puri-sabzi, 'sharbat' and boondi continued to dominate, organisers in recent years have expanded menus to include items like kadhi-chawal, chhole-chawal, sweets, sharbat and even paneer dishes.
From Hazratganj and Aliganj to Gomti Nagar, Indiranagar, Vikas Nagar, Chowk, Rajajipuram, Alambagh and Charbagh, thousands of devotees thronged these 'bhandaras' through the day. In some locations, organisers also served kulfi and ice cream, reflecting the evolving scale and variety of the celebrations.
Amid the festive atmosphere, a parallel emphasis on sustainability was visible. The civic body ran a "zero waste bhandara" campaign, urging organisers to avoid single-use plastic and adopt eco-friendly alternatives such as leaf plates and earthen cups.
"Special arrangements were made at all 470 registered sites for wet and dry waste segregation, and awareness drives were conducted to promote cleanliness and environmental protection," a senior municipal official said, adding that sanitation teams were deployed across all eight zones to ensure post-event cleanliness.
Municipal Commissioner Gaurav Kumar directed officials to maintain strict monitoring and appealed to residents to register upcoming bhandaras through the civic helpline or mobile application to facilitate better management.
Adding momentum to the campaign, environmental activist popularly known as 'Water Woman' Shipra Pathak distributed around 55,000 eco-friendly leaf plates across key venues, including Hanuman temples and public spaces.
"Plastic plates used in such large gatherings end up polluting drains and rivers like the Gomti. If we do not act now, future generations will suffer," Pathak said, urging organisers to switch to biodegradable alternatives.
She said her organisation would continue the initiative every Tuesday and appealed to social groups and citizens to join the effort to make Lucknow plastic-free.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Social Welfare (Independent Charge) Asim Arun had also appealed for a "clean, plastic-free and green Bada Mangal", linking devotional service with civic responsibility.
"When we serve devotees, it is equally our duty to protect the environment. Service and cleanliness go hand in hand," Arun said, calling on organisers to stop using plastic and thermocol items and ensure proper waste disposal at feast sites.
He added, "Bada Mangal reflects Lucknow's unique culture of harmony and service. Let us celebrate it in a way that also safeguards our environment."
Officials said feedback was also being collected under the Swachh Survekshan initiative, while awareness messages were broadcast through sanitation vehicles across the city. PTI KIS NB
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