Kashi | 14 March 2026

A shortage of LPG has forced the temporary shutdown of meal preparation at the Bansphatak branch of Kashi Annapurna Annakshetra, leaving many devotees disappointed. The kitchen, known for serving free meals and prasad to thousands of visitors every day, had to stop cooking on Saturday after the gas cylinders ran out. For a place that has long been known for uninterrupted food service to devotees, the sudden halt has come as a rare and worrying development.

Located in the holy city of Varanasi, the Annakshetra is closely associated with devotion to Goddess Annapurna. Devotees visiting the temple traditionally receive food as prasad, and the kitchen has often been regarded as one of the city’s earliest community kitchens. With the gas cylinders exhausted, the kitchen had to remain closed, forcing many devotees to return without the prasad they usually receive.

According to sources from the management, the shortage of fuel has directly affected the ability to prepare meals. Thousands of devotees rely on the Annakshetra every day, making the interruption a matter of concern for both visitors and administrators. Officials said they are trying to find a solution to restore normal operations as quickly as possible.

The LPG shortage is not affecting only this kitchen but has created difficulties in several places where large-scale cooking takes place. Devotees expressed concern over the situation, saying the food served at the Annakshetra is not just a meal but a symbol of faith and tradition. Management authorities have assured that efforts are underway to resolve the problem so that devotees can once again receive the prasad associated with their spiritual visit.

 Gas Shortage Hits Kashi’s Annapurna Kitchen, Devotees Return Without Prasad

A shortage of LPG has forced the temporary shutdown of meal preparation at the Bansphatak branch of Kashi Annapurna Annakshetra, leaving many devotees disappointed. The kitchen, known for serving free meals and prasad to thousands of visitors every day, had to stop cooking on Saturday after the gas cylinders ran out. For a place that has long been known for uninterrupted food service to devotees, the sudden halt has come as a rare and worrying development.

Located in the holy city of Varanasi, the Annakshetra is closely associated with devotion to Goddess Annapurna. Devotees visiting the temple traditionally receive food as prasad, and the kitchen has often been regarded as one of the city’s earliest community kitchens. With the gas cylinders exhausted, the kitchen had to remain closed, forcing many devotees to return without the prasad they usually receive.

According to sources from the management, the shortage of fuel has directly affected the ability to prepare meals. Thousands of devotees rely on the Annakshetra every day, making the interruption a matter of concern for both visitors and administrators. Officials said they are trying to find a solution to restore normal operations as quickly as possible.

The LPG shortage is not affecting only this kitchen but has created difficulties in several places where large-scale cooking takes place. Devotees expressed concern over the situation, saying the food served at the Annakshetra is not just a meal but a symbol of faith and tradition. Management authorities have assured that efforts are underway to resolve the problem so that devotees can once again receive the prasad associated with their spiritual visit.