ISKCON and Adani Group Collaborate to Serve Meals at Maha Kumbh Mela

The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela has witnessed a remarkable collaboration between the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and the Adani Group, which has significantly enhanced the food distribution services at the event. This partnership ensures that nearly one lakh people are provided with nutritious meals daily during the 45-day spiritual gathering.

ISKCON’s Efforts in Providing Nourishment

At the heart of this initiative, ISKCON has set up a large-scale kitchen at Harshvardhan Marg, where food is prepared in large quantities to cater to the needs of pilgrims and visitors at the Mela. The kitchen is designed to serve meals in three sessions throughout the day, with each session feeding between 30,000 to 35,000 people. This totals to over one lakh meals per day, a feat made possible through the immense logistical support from the Adani Group.

The meals provided by ISKCON are nutritionally balanced, consisting of dal, chole or rajma, various vegetables, roti, and rice, complemented by halwa or boondi laddu as sweets. The preparation of these meals is done with care, using traditional methods. The food is cooked over clay stoves, with wood and cow dung cakes as the fuel, which not only enhances the taste but also keeps the meals in alignment with the eco-friendly approach emphasized by the organizers.

Role of Adani Group in the Distribution Process

The Adani Group plays a crucial role in the logistics and distribution of these meals. A total of 100 vehicles, provided by Adani, are deployed to ensure efficient distribution of food across the Mela. The vehicles travel the sprawling Mela grounds, delivering meals to the devotees and ensuring no one is left hungry. To support the massive undertaking, about 3,000 to 3,500 volunteers from both ISKCON and Adani Group are actively working on the ground.

This partnership has greatly expanded ISKCON’s capacity to distribute food prasad, with the joint efforts increasing the distribution capability by 8-10 times compared to previous events. The environmental friendliness of the initiative is also notable, as plastic is completely absent from the fair, in line with the sustainable practices promoted by both ISKCON and Adani.

Enthusiastic Participation from Adani Group Employees

The involvement of the Adani Group in the Maha Kumbh Mela goes beyond mere logistics and material support. The company has opened a special portal to allow its employees to volunteer for service during the event. The response has been overwhelming, with over 4,000 applications received in a single day. This level of enthusiasm was unexpected by the Adani Group, reflecting the deep commitment of their employees towards community service.

In a unique twist, even vice president and general manager-level executives from the Adani Group have volunteered to participate in the service. The company’s employees are being sent in batches of 100-150 people at a time to serve food and assist in the distribution process, making it a deeply engaged and collaborative effort.

Environmental Commitment and Community Service

The overall initiative is a testament to both ISKCON’s and Adani Group’s dedication to community service, spiritual welfare, and environmental sustainability. The Maha Kumbh Mela is one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world, and by ensuring the provision of healthy, eco-friendly meals to such a large number of people, ISKCON and the Adani Group are setting a standard for large-scale charitable operations.

Preparing for the Future

As part of its preparation for the Maha Kumbh, ISKCON has begun the task of making cow dung cakes six months before the event. This highlights the level of planning and commitment involved in ensuring that the meals are prepared traditionally, maintaining the sacred and organic cooking methods that are central to the culture and ethos of ISKCON. The proactive steps taken by the organization and the Adani Group ensure that everything is in place long before the commencement of the fair.

Summary of the News:

Why in News	Details
Partnership between ISKCON and Adani Group	ISKCON, in collaboration with the Adani Group, is providing nutritious meals to nearly one lakh people daily at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, ensuring food distribution at one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world.
ISKCON’s Efforts in Providing Nourishment	ISKCON has set up a large-scale kitchen at Harshvardhan Marg, preparing 30,000 to 35,000 meals per session (3 sessions a day), totaling over one lakh meals daily. The meals are balanced, including dal, chole, rajma, vegetables, roti, rice, and sweets (halwa or boondi laddu).
Traditional Cooking Methods	Meals are prepared on clay stoves using wood and cow dung cakes for cooking, enhancing the taste and adhering to an eco-friendly approach.
Adani Group’s Role in Distribution	100 vehicles provided by Adani Group distribute meals across the sprawling Mela grounds. 3,000 to 3,500 volunteers from both ISKCON and Adani Group assist in the process.
Expansion of ISKCON’s Capacity	With Adani’s involvement, ISKCON’s capacity to distribute food has increased by 8-10 times. The initiative is fully plastic-free, aligning with sustainable practices.
Employee Participation from Adani Group	Over 4,000 Adani employees volunteered for service, far exceeding expectations. Executives at the vice president and general manager level also volunteered to assist in food distribution. Volunteers are sent in batches of 100-150 people.
Commitment to Community Service and Environment	The collaboration demonstrates ISKCON’s and Adani’s commitment to community service, spiritual welfare, and environmental sustainability, setting a benchmark for large-scale charitable operations.
Preparation for the Event	ISKCON began making cow dung cakes six months before the fair to maintain traditional cooking methods, reflecting the organization’s dedication to planning and sustainability.