Rabale: When devotees leave their flower offerings at temples across Mumbai, they rarely think about where those wilting marigolds and roses end up. For most, the journey ends in a landfill. But a quiet group of intellectually disabled individuals in Navi Mumbai has found a way to give those discarded blooms a second, more colourful life.

Swayam Siddha Society for Handicapped, a 43-year-old nonprofit based in Rabale, has launched Project Petalist, an initiative that transforms temple flowers into organic Holi colours while creating meaningful work for people who are too often left on the margins of the economy.

The numbers tell an encouraging story. After last year's success, where, as Centre Head Chitrakala Shetty recalls, “500 kg of repurposed temple flowers yielded 125 kg of eco-friendly Holi colours,” the team set a more ambitious target this year. “We are proud to have achieved our target of producing 250 kg of natural colours by processing nearly 1,000 kg of discarded temple and puja flowers,” she says.

Senior volunteer Akhila Ramganesh describes the quiet labour behind each packet, “Over the past three months, our dedicated team has been collecting, drying, powdering, and transforming used flowers into a vibrant palette of five colours, yellow and orange from marigold, pink from roses and blue and green from white chrysanthemums.”

The flowers are sourced from temples, including Shankaralayam and Ahobila Mutt in Chembur, SIES Temple, and Karthik Temple in Nerul. Craftizen Foundation has provided training in natural colour-making techniques.

For Shetty, the meaning runs deeper than sustainability. “Each package of ‘Petalist’ Holi colours carries the sanctity of temple prasad,” she says. “Most importantly, every purchase directly supports the livelihoods of intellectually disabled individuals, adding deeper meaning to the festival of colours.”

Founded on the principle of self-reliance, swayam siddha means self-accomplished.  Swayam Siddha Society is inviting corporates and individuals to place orders ahead of Holi. At Rs 100 for 100 grams or Rs 300 for a five-colour combo, it may be the most meaningful way to celebrate the festival this year. Those who are interested can contact 8976067204 to place orders.