Kolkata, Mar 14 (PTI) Despite a shortage of LPG across the country triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia, the Belur Math in West Bengal’s Howrah district is continuing its daily distribution of ‘bhog’ to thousands of devotees by relying on alternative energy sources such as biogas and solar power, officials said on Saturday.
Belur Math, the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, serves meals to a large number of visitors, devotees and residents every day as part of its long-standing tradition of community service inspired by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
A Math official said the service continues unhindered to this date by tapping its own alternative energy resources.
“As we do not solely rely on LPG cylinders for cooking, we have been able to keep our commitment and service to devotees unhindered. We have fully tapped other energy resources,” a senior monk of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission said.
“One of the key alternatives is a biogas plant that produces fuel from waste generated at our cowshed. The organic gas generated from cattle waste meets a substantial portion of the kitchen’s cooking requirements,” he said.
In addition, a large solar power system installed on the premises generates electricity that is used for heating water and for other electrical cooking processes, further reducing dependence on conventional fuel.
The Math official said the current fuel stock, along with the energy produced through its in-house systems, is sufficient to manage the situation in the coming days.
“Keeping in mind the sentiments of devotees, the authorities said they are not in favour of suspending the distribution of ‘bhog’ or limiting the number under any circumstances,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Belur Math in 2015 and 2020. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar also went to the Math during his recent visit to Kolkata.
The Mission’s decision comes at a time when several temples like Barama (Kali) Temple in Naihati, Maa Bargabhima temple in Purba Medinipur and others have been forced to put up notices restricting food to devotees due to fuel shortage. PTI SUS MNB
Category: Breaking News
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