Eco-friendly Worship at Chitrakut Dham temple in Ajmer in Rajasthan

Dedicated to Hindu God Shiva, Chitrakut Dham temple in Ajmer in Rajasthan is becoming a good example of water conservation. Water and milk poured on the Shivling in the temple is recycled and reused – giving the worship an eco-friendly touch. The whole mechanism of recycling water has been devised by Santashri Pathak who is a priest at the Chitrakut Dham Temple. The temple is located around 15 km from Ajmer.

Santashri Pathak, the priest at the Chitrakut Dham temple, who also happens to be an engineer, has devised a mechanism under which water and milk poured over the Shivlinga are conserved and recycled resulting in the increase of the groundwater level of the area.

"At the temple's surroundings, the water level has increased considerably compared to what was four years back when I began implementing water-recycling mechanism in the temple premises," says Pathak.
Hailing from Gujarat with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Pathak believes that religion and science are inseparable and endorses an eco-friendly approach towards performing religious practices.

A vessel hung over the 11-feet high Shivlinga at the temple is connected to two drums -- one of water and another of milk. The drums are operated manually to perform puja (pouring liquid over Shivlinga) so that only the required amount of the liquid is used and that too is not wasted.
"I have applied my engineering skills to give shape to my dream temple with a firm belief that science and religion are inseparable," he said, adding, "if replicated across the desert city, the model would yield commendable results."

To create awareness among people about water conservation, sanitisation and hygiene, Pathak also visits different villages with a view to impart a "rational approach towards religion". "I travel to different villages and speak to children about the importance of infinite resources, water conservation," he said.