The Reserve Bank of India has pleaded with people to stop using bank notes to make garlands for places of worship and social events.
Making decorative garlands out of rupee notes for occasions such as political rallies and weddings is common practice in India.
But in a statement, RBI chief general manger Alpana Killawala says that the practice damages the notes and shortens their life.
Indians should respect the notes as a "symbol of the Sovereign" and help the bank pursue a "clean note policy", says Killawala.