Murari Mohini Devi Dasi and Chintamani Devi Dasi with the residents of Sardanga village.
Mayapur Clean and Green, the environmental initiative led by Murari Mohini Devi Dasi, is inspiring grassroots transformation beyond the borders of the dham. In the small village of Sardanga, located one kilometer from the Jagannath temple in Rajapur, residents are rallying together to turn their neighborhood into a model of cleanliness and beauty, demonstrating how the organization’s vision can spread through community participation.
Cintamani Devi Dasi, who is coordinating a small eco-project in Sardanga where devotees and visitors from Mayapur come to relax in nature, recognized that her neighborhood needed the same care and attention that Mayapur Clean and Green brings to the wider region. The village had become typical of rural Bengal, with weeds and random trees growing unchecked along pathways and residents throwing garbage onto unused land. For months, she looked at the neglected streets and imagined their potential, how simple efforts could create beauty and raise residents’ consciousness. She felt Lord Jagannath sent her the inspiration to begin transforming the area into a place that reflects genuine care.
Drawing directly from Mayapur Clean and Green’s approach, Cintamani Devi Dasi gathered neighbors to propose beautifying their community by cleaning up garbage, removing weeds, and planting flowering trees, bushes, and vines. The response was enthusiastic. Residents immediately embraced the idea and committed to helping. Now, a dedicated group gathers weekly to work together, not only improving their environment but also building relationships through shared effort.
Mayapur Clean and Green has provided crucial support for the initiative, including supplying garbage bins for proper waste disposal. The Sardanga project aims to become a model village that demonstrates how other communities in the surrounding area can adopt similar practices. “We thank Mayapur Clean and Green for their support, and I feel we are doing our part to help and spread awareness of their vision. If we succeed, Sardanga can become a model village that inspires other communities in the surrounding area to follow,” Cintamani Devi Dasi said, expressing how the project carries forward the organization’s mission of spreading environmental awareness and action.
However, there are many challenges. While some neighbors regularly participate in the weekly cleanup days, others contribute independently, and maintaining motivation requires ongoing effort and outreach. Changing old habits, particularly getting residents accustomed to using the garbage bins provided by Mayapur Clean and Green rather than scattering trash on empty plots, takes patience and persistence. The project’s momentum depends on consistent leadership and community engagement.
The Sardanga initiative welcomes support from the wider devotee community. The most meaningful contribution anyone can make is attending the community work days to show solidarity and participate in the hands-on work. Artists and those who enjoy painting are particularly needed to help decorate and paint walls, though funds for paint and brushes are still being collected. The Urugayas Food for Life team has pledged to sponsor a korai, or cooking pot, and to occasionally cook meals, recognizing that prasadam strengthens community bonds.
Donations of rice, dhal, spices, vegetables, and halva ingredients are welcome for these community meals. The project is also collecting funds for a water tank to store water from government pipes that run twice daily. Garden plants and contributions of any kind are appreciated as the village continues its transformation.
Ultimately, what is unfolding in Sardanga reveals how Mayapur Clean and Green’s mission naturally expands through devotees who take initiative in their own communities. Inspired by the service of the Mayapur Clean & Green team, the project shows that environmental care and community building go hand in hand. By providing resources, encouragement, and a living example, the organization is empowering residents to take ownership of their environment. Those wishing to support or learn more can visit Sardanga near Rajapur’s Jagannath temple and join the weekly efforts.
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