Mysore/Mysuru, Oct. 30 -- In response to the alarming littering witnessed during the recent Deepavali festivities, the Mysuru District Unit of Yuva Brigade launched a large-scale cleanliness drive at Sidilu Mallikarjuna Swamy Betta (Hill) in Periyapatna recently.

Over 50 volunteers assembled at the base of the Hill early in the morning and began clearing heaps of plastic waste scattered across the steps and slopes.

During Deepavali, lakhs of devotees had visited the sacred Sidilu Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple to offer prayers and where the famed Deevatige Festival was observed.

Many devotees consumed water, juice, buttermilk and lassi to beat the heat, but carelessly discarded plastic bottles, packaged waste, cartons and other waste along ...