How to dispose of old or broken idols (murtis) in Toronto and the GTA

Why not the garbage, a river or a lake

For most families, putting a murti that was once worshipped in the dustbin feels wrong. Leaving it under a tree or in the water is not a good answer either: painted and plaster idols do not break down, and they harm the rivers and lakes we hold sacred.

A respectful end means keeping the idol apart from ordinary waste and sending each material where it belongs.

What we do with each kind of idol

1. Clay idols: after a short prayer, the idol is immersed in a clean water tank. The clay dissolves and settles, and the settled clay is returned to the earth.
2. Plaster and painted idols: wrapped in clean cloth, kept apart from other waste, and taken for safe disposal. They are never put in water.
3. Metal idols and pooja vessels: cleaned, sorted by metal, and sent to a metal recycler to be melted down.

What else you can hand over at the same time

Most homes have more than one item waiting. With the same pickup you can also give us deity photos and frames, old calendars with sacred images, religious books, diyas, incense ash, chunri and dried flowers. You pay the pickup fee once per booking.

How to book

1. Choose your bag or box sizes on the booking page and add a photo of your items.
2. Enter your address and pick one of the pickup days for your city.
3. Pay securely by card. You receive a confirmation email with your reference number.
4. Our driver contacts you before the pickup. If you are out, leave the package in a secure place.

Where we collect

We offer doorstep pickup in Toronto, Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Milton, Oshawa, Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. Each area has its own pickup days, which you choose from when you book.

Common questions