The ISKCON Bhiwandi temple, which is well-known for prioritising Annadaan, or free meals distribution to the needy, has made particular plans to rejoice the upcoming competition of Sri Krishna Janmashtami, which can be noticed on September 7 this 12 months. The temple is distributing a complete of 1 lakh free meals to the needy in and round the city of Bhiwandi from August 28 to September 7 2023.
Sudama Das, a resident monk of the temple, mentioned of this occasion “We are firmly convinced that the best way to observe a festival is by bringing auspiciousness in the lives of those in need. The founder of ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada , wanted that no one within a 10km radius of our temples should go hungry. For this year’s Janmashtami maha-annadaan, over 6000 kgs of grains, 3000 kgs of vegetables, 1500 kgs of sugar, 1000 litres of ghee and 500 kgs of fruits will be used.”
ISKCON Bhiwandi’s free meals distribution exercise has been steadily growing. In 2020, 2.7 lakhs free meals have been distributed. This rose to 5.6 lakhs in 2021 and 10 lakhs in 2022.
As a part of its ‘Food For Life’ initiative, ISKCON Bhiwandi has been distributing 1000 free meals day by day, since March 2020, to the migrant staff and day by day wage labourers in Bhiwandi, who make up 60per cent of the city’s inhabitants. Even throughout the tough instances of each lockdowns, they day by day cooked and distributed free meals to these in want.
ISKCON’s ‘Food For Life’ is the world’s largest vegetarian meals distribution program, serving hundreds of thousands of meals day by day, with tasks in over 60 international locations.
Apart from meals, the temple has additionally been conducting a number of on-line periods centered on psychological well being administration by way of meditation and chanting, primarily based on the Bhagavad Gita , to assist individuals spiritually. The programs are designed to allow individuals to reconnect with themselves and uncover peace by way of meditation and chanting the identify of Krishna.
