Bhubaneswar/Sambalpur: The current situation regarding the availability of LPG cylinders has started impacting even kitchens in temples, with the Iskcon temple in Bhubaneswar planning to switch to traditional wood-fired stoves if it does not get gas supply in the coming days, while some shrines are planning to stop distribution of prasad among devotees till the situation improves.Radhakanta Das, who is the state PRO of Iskcon, said, “The temple discussed various alternatives and using a wood-fired stove to make prasad is a practical solution at this juncture. Our LPG cylinders will get exhausted after six days. If we do not get gas on time, we need to shift to a wood-fired stove. But the temple has no space for making chulhas (wood-fired stoves) at the moment.”The Jagannath temple at Sailashree Vihar also uses gas for making prasad. “Whatever gas we have, we can manage it for only 10 more days. If the supply does not improve, we will think about alternative ways to make prasad,” Gopal Pattnaik, secretary of the temple trust, said.He added, “We may stop preparing prasad for the public until the situation improves. Many people come to the temple for ring ceremonies, birthday celebrations and other auspicious occasions. Earlier, we prepared food for them. Now we are requesting them to arrange their own food after the ceremony is over.”Maa Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur may also stop preparing prasad for the public if it does not get the required gas supply. Temple committee’s president Sanjay Babu said, “At present, there is no shortage and everything is running smoothly.”(With inputs from Sambalpur)
