Overcoming gas shortage: 10 tonnes of khichdi cooked on 15 ‘Chul ’ (traditional stove) during religious event

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

A grand Mahaprasad arrangement has been made for devotees at the ‘Samasyā Margdarshan and Darshan Sohala’ that began on Saturday under the guidance of Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Narendraacharya Maharaj. Despite the shortage of commercial LPG gas, organisers created an alternative arrangement and cooked nearly 10 tonnes of khichdi and 4 tonnes of mixed vegetable curry on 15 large traditional stoves, serving food to thousands of followers.

The event, which started on Saturday at the ground near Mhasoba Maharaj temple in the Chauka Ghat area, has drawn a large number of followers from various districts of Marathwada.

70 cylinders required, work managed with 15 stoves

Around 70 commercial gas cylinders would have been required over two days to prepare 10 tonnes of khichdi and 4 tonnes of mixed vegetable curry. However, due to the shortage in supply, organisers faced a major challenge in arranging meals for the large number of devotees.

To ensure that the mahaprasad was not disrupted despite the gas shortage, 15 large traditional stoves were set up. About 13 tonnes of firewood were brought for this purpose. Khichdi and mixed vegetables were prepared in huge vessels on these stoves, which helped overcome the shortage of gas cylinders.

50 cooks, 450 volunteers

Under the leadership of Mathapati Maharaj, around 50 cooks were engaged in preparing the Mahaprasad, while a team of 450 volunteers led by Sheshrao Chavan assisted in the arrangements. From early morning, khichdi was being cooked in large cauldrons and vessels. Meanwhile, women volunteers were busy sorting and chopping vegetables, which were later used to prepare the mixed vegetable curry.

Despite the gas shortage, the large-scale cooking on traditional stoves and the successful distribution of mahaprasad to thousands of devotees has become a talking point in the area. Followers expressed satisfaction over the organisers’ planning.

Captions

------ Water was heated on these stoves to prepare khichdi and mixed vegetable curry for the large number of followers attending the programme organised by Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Dakshin Peeth Nanij Dham.

------- Women volunteers sorting vegetables.