Bengaluru’s Banashankari Temple Halts Free Prasada Distribution Amid LPG Crisis

Bengaluru

oi-Swastika Sruti

The impact of rising global tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran is now being felt far beyond the conflict zone. Disruptions in LPG supply chains have begun affecting everyday life in India, particularly in parts of southern India where kitchens depend heavily on commercial gas cylinders.

In Bengaluru, the shortage has already forced several hotels to suspend operations. The crisis has now reached temple kitchens as well, with some shrines struggling to continue their free meal services for devotees.

Banashankari Temple Halts Free Prasada Distribution

One of the major temples affected is the Banashankari Temple, where authorities temporarily suspended the distribution of free Anna Prasada starting Wednesday, March 11.

Temple officials said the decision was unavoidable because the kitchen relies on commercial LPG cylinders to prepare meals for thousands of devotees every day.
Normally, the temple serves prasada to around 3,000-4,000 visitors daily. Devotees are offered dishes such as:

• Pongal
• Puliyogare
• Rice bath in the morning
• Anna Sambar Prasada in the afternoon

However, the shortage of cooking gas has made it difficult to continue preparing these meals.

Limited Gas Cylinders Left At Temple Kitchen

According to the temple’s Executive Officer Krishnappa, the kitchen usually requires one to two commercial LPG cylinders every day to prepare food for devotees.

“At present, we have only four cylinders left. If the supply does not improve, the distribution of prasada may have to stop completely from Friday,” he said.
Temple authorities are closely monitoring the situation while trying to manage the remaining gas supply.

Other Temples Also Facing LPG Shortage

The LPG shortage is also affecting other temples in the region.
At the Bandimahakali Temple, officials have reported similar difficulties in preparing prasada because of the lack of LPG cylinders.

In some cases, devotees have even brought gas cylinders from their homes to help temple kitchens continue cooking.

There are also reports that LPG cylinders are being sold in the black market for as high as ₹3,000-₹4,000, far above the usual price.

Chamundi Hills Temple Has Stock For Now

The situation at Chamundi Hills, home to the famous Chamundeshwari Temple, is currently stable.

Officials from the Chamundeshwari Development Authority said the temple has sufficient LPG supply to continue the dasoha (free meal service) for devotees.

Secretary Roop stated that the existing gas stock is expected to last around two weeks. If shortages occur later, the temple is prepared to switch to traditional wood stoves to keep the meal programme running.

Male Mahadeshwar Hills Temple Monitoring Situation

At the Male Mahadeshwar Hills shrine, authorities say there is no immediate concern despite disruptions in LPG supply across the state.

According to E Raghu, Secretary of the Male Mahadeshwara Area Development Authority, the temple currently has enough gas cylinders to continue operations for 10-12 days.

On average, the shrine requires about 15 gas cylinders daily to prepare dasoha meals and laddus for devotees. Officials said the current stock should be sufficient for the coming days, but the situation will be monitored closely.

Free Meal Service To Continue At Ramanathaswamy Temple

In Rameswaram, LPG shortages have also begun affecting restaurants and small eateries. However, the administration of the Ramanathaswamy Temple has assured devotees that its free meal programme will continue for now.

The temple currently has enough LPG cylinders to support cooking operations for about 10 days.

The meal programme, run by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments

Department, provides food to around 2,000-3,000 devotees daily and typically requires three commercial gas cylinders every day.

Backup Plans To Keep Meals Running

Temple authorities in Rameswaram have also prepared alternative arrangements in case the LPG shortage worsens.

Once the existing gas stock runs out, the temple kitchen can switch to bio-gas units for cooking. Two bio-gas units can be used daily, which would allow the meal programme to continue for another 10 days.

Officials emphasised that even if local hotels and eateries are forced to shut due to the shortage, devotees visiting the temple will continue to receive free meals.

Global Conflict Affecting Fuel Supply

Officials say the LPG shortage is linked to rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia. Military actions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran have disrupted global crude oil supply routes.

Reports suggest that international crude oil prices have climbed to around $110-$120 per barrel, increasing pressure on fuel supply chains in several countries, including India.
As the situation continues to evolve, authorities across India are monitoring LPG availability to ensure essential services such as temple kitchens and community meal programmes remain operational.