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LPG Crisis Starves Temples, Threatens Free Meals
13 Mar
Summary
- Religious institutions struggle to serve bhog prasad due to LPG scarcity.
- Iskcon Kolkata reduced cooking by 60-70% to conserve fuel.
- Jagannath Dham in Digha cut dinner prasadam service by 75%.
Religious institutions across Kolkata and its districts are experiencing significant strain on their 'bhog prasad' services due to an intensifying LPG cylinder crisis. Authorities are forced to reduce cooking operations or seek alternative methods to continue feeding devotees and the needy.
Iskcon Kolkata, which provides free dinners daily, faces a direct threat to its mission. Vice-president Radharamn Das expressed concern over sustaining the service, noting their kitchens are ill-equipped for wood-fire cooking for large numbers. To cope, they've reduced their menu, making only khichdi for residents, cutting gas consumption by 60-70%.
At Dakshineswar Ramakrishna Sangha Adyapeath Ashram, meals for over 10,000 people are still being provided by using diesel stoves. However, Dakshineswar Bhavatarini Kali Temple is worried about future fuel stock despite currently not being affected. Jagannath Dham in Digha has already reduced its daily prasadam service from three meals to two, limiting dinner to 750 people from an original 3,000.
While Mayapur is largely unaffected due to cooking with wood fire, Naihati's Boroma Temple will cease its free bhog service starting Monday. The widespread LPG shortage is impacting the core charitable activities of these religious organizations.
