Historic Annapurna Temple Food Courts in Varanasi Face Unprecedented Closure
The iconic Annakshetras (food courts) of Varanasi's revered Goddess Annapurna temple, which have been serving approximately 25,000 people daily for centuries, were forced to shut down temporarily on Saturday due to a critical LPG shortage. This marks the first time in the temple's 300-year history that these charitable kitchens have ceased operations, highlighting a severe energy crisis impacting religious and social services in the holy city.
Decades of Uninterrupted Service Halted
According to temple mahant Shankar Puri, the Annakshetras have operated with a sacred vow to never stop serving prasad (blessed food), a commitment upheld even during the stringent COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. "Our kitchens operated continuously through the pandemic, but this LPG shortage has forced an unprecedented closure," Puri stated. The Kashi Annapurna Annakshetra Trust, which manages the food courts near the Annapurna temple, relies on LPG for its modular kitchens and feeds a diverse group including pilgrims from south India, seers, and needy individuals every day.
Immediate Impact and Alternative Efforts
Before the shutdown, around 3,000 pilgrims were served on Saturday morning using the last available LPG and old kerosene stocks. However, many seers traveling to Ayodhya were left disappointed as the kitchens closed. Puri emphasized that the management is actively exploring alternative arrangements, such as diesel stoves and coal, to restart the food courts as soon as possible. "We are committed to resuming our service, but until new LPG supplies are secured, the kitchens will remain closed," he added.
Contrast with Kashi Vishwanath Dham
While the Annapurna temple's Annakshetras faced disruption, the three Annakshetras at Kashi Vishwanath Dham (KVD) continued to operate smoothly, according to KVT CEO Vishwa Bhushan Mishra. These facilities can serve up to 14,000 thalis (platters) daily and have seen increased demand since KVD's rejuvenation in late 2021. The temple's daily footfall has surged from 10,000-15,000 before 2022 to over 1 lakh now, with peaks reaching 3 lakh on weekends and up to 8 lakh during major festivals like Mahashivratri.
Broader Context and Challenges
The LPG shortage comes amid broader energy crises, potentially linked to global conflicts such as the Israel-Iran tensions, though the temple had managed supplies until Thursday. The closure underscores the vulnerability of essential services to fuel shortages, affecting not only religious practices but also the budgets of thousands of pilgrims who depend on these free meals. As Varanasi continues to attract record numbers of visitors, the need for reliable energy sources for charitable operations becomes increasingly critical.
