Sat Dec 06 23:30:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
Following the Maha Deepam festival in Tiruvannamalai, India, the Tiruvannamalai Corporation conducted a large-scale clean-up operation. Over 450 metric tons of waste, the highest amount recorded for this event, was collected by a team of 2,300 sanitary workers, including those from neighboring municipalities. The collected waste, primarily disposable food containers and organic matter, will be processed, with organic waste being recycled into manure. The increase in waste is attributed to a record number of devotees (4.5 million) visiting the town for the festival.
News Article:
Tiruvannamalai Cleans Up After Maha Deepam, Tackling Record Waste Volume
Tiruvannamalai, India – December 7, 2025 – The temple town of Tiruvannamalai is returning to normalcy following the Maha Deepam festival, thanks to a massive clean-up effort undertaken by the Tiruvannamalai Corporation. A staggering 450 metric tons of garbage, a record high for the event, was removed in a two-day operation, restoring cleanliness throughout the town.
The clean-up was carried out by a dedicated workforce of 2,300 sanitary workers, primarily women, including staff from neighboring municipalities like Ambur, Arcot, and Vaniyambadi. Collector K. Tharpagaraj and Corporation Commissioner S. Selva Balaji personally oversaw the operation and interacted with the workers.
“The sheer volume of waste generated this year highlights the festival’s growing popularity,” stated Commissioner Balaji. The 450 metric tons collected surpassed the waste generated in previous years: 350 tons in 2024, 210 tons in 2023, and 130 tons in 2022. This increase is directly attributed to the estimated 4.5 million devotees who flocked to Tiruvannamalai for the Maha Deepam celebrations.
Disposable food plates constituted the bulk of the waste, along with sugarcane and sweet corn remnants. The district administration allowed for 250 organizations to provide “anna danam” (free food) to at least 3 million devotees on Maha Deepam day.
The collected waste is being disposed of at the Corporation’s 15-acre landfill. Significantly, organic waste will be recycled into manure, promoting sustainable practices and benefiting local farming and terrace gardens.
The Tiruvannamalai Corporation manages approximately 50-60 metric tons of waste daily across its 39 wards. The successful clean-up after Maha Deepam demonstrates the Corporation’s commitment to maintaining the town’s cleanliness even during peak periods of pilgrimage.
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