Food services at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple
The consecration of the new Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024 was a long awaited historic event in India. The nation commemorated the consecration in joyous celebration and VMRK centers participated in this momentous event with great zest and zeal. Read more in our blog post Celebrating consecration of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi.
The city of Ayodhya is an important center of pilgrimage in India. The temple is hugely significant to devotees of Lord Ram because the term Shri Ram Janmabhoomi refers to the birthplace of Lord Ram. Predictably, after the temple opened to the public on January 23, 2024, devotees from across India have been visiting in large numbers daily to pay reverence to Lord Ram.
Knowing that the temple would be a major attraction, the local administration expanded Ayodhya by building a new township called Navya Ayodhya on the outskirts of the city. Residential blocks were built in the new township to accommodate visiting devotees. Food services are also offered at these residential blocks. Situated 7 kilometers from the temple, the residential block named Panchwati Atithigrah has been assigned to Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) for food distribution.
VMRK is grateful to the local administration for granting permission to provide food services to devotees visiting Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.
Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra is serving devotees on pilgrimage to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya
FEBRUARY 3, 2024
VMRK STARTED THE FOOD SERVICE TO DEVOTEES
MEALS SERVED AS AT FEBRUARY 26
VMRK VOLUNTEERS WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK
FEBRUARY 9, 2024
VMRK ADDED AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR EMERGENCIES
Preparation
VMRK made plans to serve over 5,000 meals daily to devotees visiting the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. We prepared a list of utensils and ingredients that would be used to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then we set out to procure all the items.
On January 24, 2024, a team of volunteers came in from near and far to load the items onto a truck. At noon the following day, the truck accompanied by two volunteers, departed from the VMRK center in Nawan Nagar on a 17 hour journey to the temple in Ayodhya.
Arrival and set up
Dense fog in North India delayed the journey and the truck arrived at Ayodhya on the evening of January 27. VMRK’s volunteers unloaded all the materials from the truck and arranged them systematically at the assigned site.
The block allocated to VMRK by the local administration measures 340 feet by 240 feet. It is equipped with basic amenities and there are designated zones for storing and preparing the food. There is also a separate dining area for food service. Additionally, four small cottages with 20 beds each provide accommodation for VMRK volunteers.
Food service
When VMRK commenced its daily food service on February 3, 2024, devotees responded with appreciation. Every day, a team of over 110 volunteers work around the clock to serve three hot meals and tea to the devotees. In addition, a sweet dish is served once a day.
Each day, the local administration updates VMRK on the anticipated schedule and arrival of large groups of devotees for the following day. These devotees may arrive or depart at any time, even late at night or in the early morning. In response, VMRK volunteers extended food service hours to ensure timely food preparation and service. Volunteers work in shifts, staying up late or waking up in the early dawn to lovingly prepare the food and serve the devotees.
As at February 26, 2024, VMRK has served more than 206,000 meals to devotees. Furthermore, from February 9, VMRK initiated an ambulance service to address emergency situations in the vicinity of the temple.
The online news site Dainik Jagran reported this on February 17, 2024.
READ THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE DAINIK JAGRAN NEWS ARTICLE
Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra serving food to the devotees of Shri Ram
Jagran reporter, Chandigarh: Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra (VMRK) has been offering food services for the devotees visiting the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. In addition to the regular charitable activities of providing clothes and medical facilities to people in need, a truckload of food supplies was sent to Ayodhya after VMRK received permission. The food service has been ongoing since February 3. Mukesh Kumar, the Joint Secretary of VMRK, stated that this service commenced under the guidance of Sant Baljit Singh Ji. Around 110 VMRK volunteers are working around the clock to offer food services. Until now (February 17, 2024), VMRK has served more than 82,000 meals to the devotees. During emergency situations, devotees are also offered ambulance services. Mukesh Kumar said that the local administration has not only provided accommodation to the VMRK volunteers but also granted permission and full support for storage, preparation, and distribution of food in Ayodhya. He informed that VMRK is a non-profit charitable society that has been serving humanity since 2005. Its headquarters is situated in Nawan Nagar, Tehsil Kalka, District Panchkula.
Many people left comments in our visitor log, some are listed below:
The food service arrangement by Sant Baljit Singh ji’s organization is highly commendable, and the behavior of all the volunteers is exemplary. We appreciate your services.
Sh. Balkishan Gulati, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan
Respected, I was grateful to be part of the prasadalaya services offered by Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra. The best part of this program was the attitude of the readily supportive staff.
The efforts of respected Sant Baljit Singh ji are exemplary for all of us. Millions of thanks for the spirit of human service and to the volunteers for their polite behavior.
Sh. Anand Prakash Sharma, Rawatbhata, Rajasthan