Mumbai: International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)’s Chowpatty temple in Mumbai has taken the role of ‘annaupurna’ at the Mahakumbh 2025 as it has set up mega kitchens to feed the sadhus, devotees and visitors at the religious gathering. ISKCON Chowpatty is serving mahaprasad to more than 10,000 people daily and expects to feed 50 lakh people in the duration of the mela.

Ahead of the inauguration of Mahakumbh Mela, ISKCON had joined hands with Adani Group to serve free meals to lakhs of devotees arriving in Prayagraj. While the meals are being prepared at three mega kitchens spanning approximately 40,000 sq.ft., it is being distributed at 40 places in the Mahakumbh areas with around 2,500 volunteers being a part of this initiative. A fleet of vehicles have been employed to ensure timely delivery to key locations across the Mahakumbh grounds.

The mahaprasad initiative is being headed by ISKCON Chowpatty at Mahakumbh where the temple is running three mega kitchens. Each kitchen has more than 15 stoves to prepare different dishes with around 500 volunteers working from 3 in the morning to 11 in the night to prepare meals for the devotees. This food is then served and distributed at around 40 to 50 different places allocated to ISKCON by the government authorities.

In addition to food, ISKCON is also offering kirtans, bhajans, and distributing spiritual literature, including the Bhagavad Gita and other Gaudiya Vaishnava scriptures, creating a holistic experience for pilgrims.

Gauranga Das Prabhu, commissioner of ISKCON’s governing body, said, “Every meal is prepared with love by the volunteers and is first served to the lord. Gratitude is a very important asect of human consciousness therefore we try to express our gratitude by offering this prasad to the lord. When we distribute this mahaprasad to the devotees, it not only feeds the body but also gives them the ability to contemplate spirituality. It decreases desires and darkness inside us and brings out the seven virtues, which leads them to righteousness, self realisation and higher consciousness.”

Guru Prasad Swami of ISKCON had said, “The Adani Group has always been a shining example of corporate responsibility and social service. What makes Gautam Adaniji outstanding is his humility is that he never waits to be called but moves forward to serve selflessly. We are extremely grateful for his contribution. His work inspires us to give back to society and unite in the service of humanity.”