Lala Meme Foundation leads clean-up initiative at Chamba’s Manimahesh pilgrimage site
CHAMBA/Mandi: In a commendable effort to preserve the sanctity of one of India’s revered pilgrimage sites, the Lala Meme Foundation organised a comprehensive clean-up campaign at Manimahesh in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh.
The initiative is aimed at addressing environmental concerns associated with the increasing number of visitors to the sacred site.
The campaign was officially flagged off on Friday by Kulbir Rana, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Bharmour.
A 10-member team from the Lala Meme Foundation began their journey from Bharmani Mata in Bharmour to Manimahesh, carrying the message of cleanliness and environmental responsibility.
On the day of the campaign, the foundation’s team was joined by members of the Manimahesh Yuvak Mandal from Hadsa as well as several volunteers, including Ravi, Yogesh Aryan and Ashish from Haryana, and a group of youths from Tisa. Together, they undertook the massive task of cleaning the entire parikrama area, which is a traditional circumambulation path, as well as the surroundings of the sacred Manimahesh Lake.
Mangal Manepa, president of the Lala Meme Foundation, highlighted the support provided by the Bharmour administration, which supplied essential material needed for the clean-up. “Manimahesh is not just a local treasure but a site of global religious significance,” Manepa said.
“It is our collective duty to maintain its purity and cleanliness, ensuring that it remains a pristine place of worship for generations to come.”
Nek Raj, Janak, Vijay and Heera, members of the Manimahesh Yuvak Mandal-Hadsa, emphasised the ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, noting that local youths would continue to conduct regular clean-up drives.
The day’s efforts culminated in the collection of 24 bags of waste, which were promptly reported to the Bharmour administration for proper disposal. SDM Kulbir Rana expressed his appreciation for the volunteers’ efforts, particularly as the month of Sawan sees thousands of devotees visiting the site daily. He stressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness at the pilgrimage site and appealed to all visitors to contribute to preserving its sanctity.
The clean-up campaign was supported by dedicated members of the Lala Meme Foundation, including Ramesh Malpa, Sunita, Pushpa, Vipin, Palmo, Prem Butti, Srishti, Shakun, Promila and Mangal Manepa. The event was not just a testament to community spirit but also an important step towards sustainable tourism and conservation of heritage sites.