Kolkata, March 14 Despite a shortage of LPG across the country caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Belur Math in the Howrah district of West Bengal is continuing its daily distribution of "bhog" (food offerings) 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.
An official of the Math stated that the service continues uninterrupted, thanks to the use of its own alternative energy resources.
"Since we do not rely solely on LPG cylinders for cooking, we have been able to maintain our commitment and service to devotees. We have fully utilized 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 in our cow shed. The organic gas generated from cattle waste meets a significant 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 that the current fuel stock, along with the energy produced through its in-house systems, is sufficient to manage the situation in the coming days.
"Considering the sentiments of the devotees, the authorities said they are not in favor 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 visited the Math during his recent visit to Kolkata.
The Mission's decision comes at a time when several temples, such as the Barama (Kali) Temple in Naihati, the Maa Bargabhima temple in Purba Medinipur, and others, have been forced to put up notices restricting food to devotees due to fuel shortages.