Over 60 bhandaras distributed free meals to 30cr

Prayagraj: Over 60 community kitchens or bhandaras run by religious, social and spiritual organisations remained functional round-the clock during the 45-day Maha Kumbh offering free meals as prasad to crores of devotees who flocked to the Sangam city to take a dip in Ganga.
They served tea, breakfast, meals and water bottles to devotees throughout the mega religious event at different places across the mela area.
It is estimated that over 30 crore devotees have taken the prasad in these community kitchens during Maha Kumbh that ended Wednesday.
The first community feast was launched by Lal Mahendra Shiv Shakti Seva Samiti Om Namah Shivay at Parade area from Nov 2024.
Gurudev, head of the Om Namah Shivay, said: "Virtue is attained by donating food during the Maha Kumbh. Millions of devotees have taken the prasad which is still running at some places."
One such community kitchen run by Adani Group and Iskcon distributed mahaprasad to more than 1 lakh devotees every day in the Mela area. This mahaprasad was being prepared in three kitchens of Iskcon in the Mela area and distributed at more than 40 places.
Over 10,000 employees were engaged in different works at these community feast centres from preparing meals to serving and cleaning staff.
Continuous community feast was organised in two dozen places by senior social worker Manpreet Kaur, president of Sankatmochan Sena Mahila Cell, Ludhiana, Punjab, who runs Maa Sita Rasoi.
Kaur said: "During Maha Kumbh, millions of devotees were served prasad in our bhandaras which will continue for labourers living in Maha Kumbh area till March 10."
Similarly, bhandaras were also run by Machli Bandar Math, Saketdham's Jagadguru Ramsuhag Das Binaika Baba, Jagadguru Swami Shandilya Ji Maharaj, Surabhi Sanstha, Kinnar Akhara and other organisations.
Food distribution centres were organised by Charkhi Dadri Ashram, Jagadguru Gargacharya Muchkund Peethadheeswar Swami Mahendranand Giri Maharaj of Junagadh, Shri Panch Terah Bhai Tyagi Akhara of Ayodhya, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Ram Tirth Das Maharaj, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Ramakrishna Das Maharaj of Kolhu Nath Khalsa and others.
President of All India Dandi Sanyasi Parishad, Peethadheeshwar Swami Brahmashram Maharaj said "In the world's largest Maha Kumbh of Sanatan Dharma, bhandara and anna kshetras were organised day and night by saints and institutions," he said.