Kolkata: Breaking a decades-old tradition, Mayer Bari in Bagbazar suspended the distribution of its daily bhog to devotees from the beginning of this week, citing the ongoing shortage of LPG cylinders that disrupted cooking at the shrine. Officials of the institution said the suspension will remain in place until normal gas supply is restored.Mayer Bari in Bagbazar is the sacred final residence of Sri Sarada Devi, the spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna. She lived in this house from 1909 until her passing in 1920. According to officials, the tradition of serving prasad dates back to the period when Sarada Devi lived here and personally oversaw the care of visiting devotees. The last time the distribution was halted was briefly during the Covid pandemic, when restrictions on gatherings were in force. “We were forced to take this decision because of the shortage of LPG cylinders. The cooking requires several cylinders every day, and the current situation made it difficult to maintain regular operations,” said a senior official. “The distribution will resume as soon as the situation returns to normal.”Officials said the institution receives around 500 visitors every day, out of whom 300 to 400 usually receive the prasad served in the afternoon. Cooking for the meal typically requires at least four LPG cylinders daily. “As things stand, arranging such quantities of gas is extremely difficult. Under these circumstances, it is not logical or feasible to continue preparing meals,” the official added.According to the existing system, devotees collect lunch coupons between 9.30 am and 10.30 am and return in the afternoon for the meal. For many locals, the prasad is not only a religious offering but also a regular source of food. “We have been living here for several years and had bhog from Mayer Bari numerous times. We do not know when things will return to normal,” said Rekha Das, a local. Devotees expressed similar sentiments. Bapi Chakraborty, who came from Sovabazar, said, “It is disheartening that we are being deprived of the bhog. I often come here around 9.30 am to collect the free coupon. This prasad is not just food for us, it’s a blessing.”
