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In Ranchi, community kitchens nestled within temples and gurdwaras are feeling the pinch of a looming LPG cylinder shortage. As fuel supplies dwindle, many have reverted to the age-old practice of cooking with firewood. The gurdwara's langar, a sacred meal typically serving thousands, is now facing uncertainty, particularly with major festivals on the horizon.
Ranchi: An ongoing shortage of LPG cylinders has begun affecting community kitchens at temples and gurdwaras in the city, forcing organisers to scale down preparations and shift to traditional cooking methods.At the Gurdwara Sahib, langar services, which usually feed thousands every week, are facing difficulties due to irregular gas supply. Gurdwara secretary Gagandeep Singh said the Sunday langar alone serves around 50,000 people and requires 15-20 LPG cylinders.“Earlier, the langar was prepared through a mixed system, nearly 40% on traditional chulhas and the rest on gas. Now, cylinders are hard to procure, and we are relying more on firewood and traditional chulhas,” he said.
He added that upcoming religious events could further strain arrangements.“In April, we have Gurpurab and Baisakhi, when the number of devotees increases significantly. If the supply situation remains the same, it will be very difficult to manage langar on the usual scale. We may have to reduce quantities or change the way food is prepared,” Singh said.At Pahari Mandir, where meals are prepared three times a day, priest Dayashankar said the present requirement is small, but the shortage could become a concern during festival rush.
“Currently, we cook for about 30 people daily, so it is manageable. But during Ramnavami, the number of devotees rises sharply. If cylinders remain difficult to procure, we will have to look for alternative arrangements to keep the kitchen running,” he said.Similarly, at Jagannath Temple, bhog for nearly 1,000 devotees is currently being prepared using firewood. Priest Sudhanshu Nath Shahdeo said the shortage may affect the quantity of food prepared if the situation continues.Devotees also expressed concern over the situation. “Langar and temple meals are an important part of religious gatherings. We hope the supply normalises before Ramnavami so that arrangements for devotees are not affected,” said a regular visitor at a city temple.
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