Krishna Janmashtami: ISKCON Bhiwandi is distributing 1 lakh free meals to the needy

The ISKCON Bhiwandi temple, which is well known for prioritising Annadaan, or free food distribution to the needy, has made special plans to celebrate the upcoming festival of Sri Krishna Janmashtami, which will be observed on September 7 this year. The temple is distributing a total of 1 lakh free meals to the needy in and around the town of Bhiwandi from August 28 to September 7 2023.

Sudama Das, a resident monk of the temple, said of this event “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 food distribution activity has been steadily increasing. In 2020, 2.7 lakhs free meals were distributed. This rose to 5.6 lakhs in 2021 and 10 lakhs in 2022.

As part of its ‘Food For Life’ initiative, ISKCON Bhiwandi has been distributing 1000 free meals every day, since March 2020, to the migrant workers and daily wage labourers in Bhiwandi, who make up 60per cent of the town’s population. Even during the difficult times of both lockdowns, they daily cooked and distributed free meals to those in need.

ISKCON’s ‘Food For Life’ is the world’s largest vegetarian food distribution program, serving millions of meals daily, with projects in over 60 countries.

Apart from food, the temple has also been conducting several online sessions focused on mental health management through meditation and chanting, based on the Bhagavad Gita , to help people spiritually. The courses are designed to enable people to reconnect with themselves and discover peace through meditation and chanting the name of Krishna.