ISKCON and Adani Group Join Forces to Provide Meals at Maha Kumbh Mela

The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela has seen a significant partnership between the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and the Adani Group, enhancing food distribution services at the event. This collaboration ensures that nearly 100,000 individuals are served nutritious meals daily during the 45-day spiritual gathering.

ISKCON’s Role in Meal Distribution ISKCON has established a large kitchen at Harshvardhan Marg to prepare meals in large quantities for pilgrims and visitors. The kitchen serves food in three sessions daily, with each session feeding 30,000 to 35,000 people, totaling over 100,000 meals per day. This feat is made possible through the extensive logistical support provided by the Adani Group.

The meals are nutritionally balanced, consisting of dal, chole or rajma, vegetables, roti, rice, and sweets like halwa or boondi laddu. Traditional cooking methods, using clay stoves fueled by wood and cow dung cakes, ensure the meals maintain their rich flavor while aligning with an eco-friendly approach.

Adani Group’s Role in Logistics The Adani Group plays a vital role in distributing these meals, with 100 vehicles deployed to ensure efficient delivery across the expansive Mela grounds. Around 3,000 to 3,500 volunteers from ISKCON and the Adani Group are actively involved in this operation. The partnership has boosted ISKCON's meal distribution capacity by 8-10 times compared to previous events, and the initiative is entirely free of plastic, in line with sustainable practices.

Employee Involvement from Adani Group The Adani Group's involvement extends beyond logistics; the company has created a portal for employees to volunteer. Over 4,000 applications were received in a single day, highlighting the company's employees' strong commitment to community service. Even senior executives from Adani Group have volunteered, and employees are being sent in groups to assist with food service and distribution.

Commitment to Sustainability and Service The collaboration between ISKCON and the Adani Group reflects a shared dedication to community welfare, spiritual service, and environmental sustainability. The Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the world’s largest spiritual gatherings, benefits from this initiative, which provides eco-friendly meals to a large number of attendees.

Preparation for Future Events In preparation for the Maha Kumbh, ISKCON began making cow dung cakes six months in advance, demonstrating the level of planning and commitment to maintaining traditional cooking methods. The proactive collaboration between ISKCON and the Adani Group ensures the event’s smooth operation and highlights their focus on sustainable and organic practices.