Dear Friends of Dharma,
Greetings from ISKCON Gangasagar!
We are writing to you with a heartfelt request to support our “Anna-Dan Seva: Full Meal” project, a noble and compassionate mission that aims to feed everyone who comes to Gangasagar with a full meal prasadam (sanctified food).
Gangasagar is a holy place where the sacred river Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal. It is the place where Lord Kapil Muni, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, gave the sublime teachings of Sankhya philosophy to his mother Devahuti. It is also the place where Gangadevi, the personification of the Ganga, bestowed her mercy upon King Bhagiratha and his ancestors by descending from the heavenly planets to the earthly realm.
Every year, lakhs of people visit Gangasagar to take a holy dip in the confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of Bengal, especially during the Gangasagar Mela and the Maghi Mela, which are celebrated on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and Magh Purnima respectively. These pilgrims come from different parts of India and the world, with different backgrounds, cultures and languages, but with a common faith and devotion to the Supreme Lord.
However, many of these pilgrims are poor, hungry and needy, who struggle to find a decent meal in their daily lives. They come to Gangasagar with great hopes and aspirations, but often face hardships and difficulties due to the lack of basic facilities and amenities. They also face the risk of natural calamities and emergencies, such as cyclones, floods and epidemics, which can cause havoc and destruction in the region.
We, at ISKCON Gangasagar, feel a deep sense of compassion and responsibility towards these pilgrims, who are our brothers and sisters. We believe that a tirtha-yatra (pilgrimage) is incomplete without receiving the mercy of Lord in the form of prasadam. Prasadam is not just food, but a divine gift that nourishes the body, mind and soul. Prasadam is also a symbol of love, gratitude and hospitality, that creates a bond of friendship and brotherhood among all living beings.
That is why we have launched our “Anna-Dan Seva: Full Meal” project, an initiative by “ ISKCON Gangasagar Bhaktivedanta Annakeshetra” to serve hot, sumptuous, nutritious and 100% pure vegetarian meals to the tirtha-yatris, tourists and the local poor community people residing 10 miles radius of ISKCON Gangasagar Centre. Annadaan (food donation) is considered as an act of highest virtue in the Indian Vedic culture, as it is said:
अन्नदानं परं दानं तस्मादन्नं तथाविधम् । निर्विघ्नं भुज्यते नित्यं विश्वेश्वरस्य वासरे ॥
annadānaṁ paraṁ dānaṁ tasmādannaṁ tathāvidham | nirvighnaṁ bhujyate nityaṁ viśveśvarasya vāsare ||
“Food donation is the best donation. Therefore, one should offer such food every day, without any obstacles, on the day of Lord Vishveshvara (Shiva).” (Skanda Purana)
Our “Annamrita Thali” consists of rice, dal, roti, sabji, chatni or sweet, prepared with love and devotion by the devotees of ISKCON in our hygienic, technically advanced and semi-mechanized kitchen, which has a capacity to prepare up to 5000 meals per day. The food is cooked using steam, which is healthier than the direct heat of the flame, and using 304 grade stainless steel utensils, which ensure proper hygiene, food safety and security norms.
We offer this opportunity to the tirtha-yatris and tourists to experience the divine taste of prasadam throughout the year, from 8 AM to 8 PM, absolutely FREE of cost. We do not discriminate anyone on the basis of caste, creed, race, language or religion, but welcome everyone as our brothers and sisters.
We have been serving prasadam to the tirtha-yatris and the needy for the last 20 years, especially during the Gangasagar Mela and the Maghi Mela. We have also been providing relief and support to the affected people during the times of natural calamities and emergencies, under the guidance of the local government.
Our vision is to build a permanent modern kitchen at Gangasagar, which can stock inventory for a couple of days, and can reach out to the people in need without any delay. Our mission is to ensure that no one leaves Gangasagar without receiving the mercy of Lord Kapil Muni and Gangadevi in the form of prasadam.
We need your help to sustain this food distribution program, which is a non-profit, non-sectarian and charitable initiative. Our one meal serving cost is Rs. 30/-, but we do not charge any price to the tirtha-yatris once we get sponsorship. Please support us with your generous donations, which will enable us to serve hundreds of prasadam plates daily. You can also donate on any specific date, such as your birthday, anniversary, annaprasan or in memory of your loved one, and get the special blessings of the Lord.
For further information and to donate, please contact Sri Sundar Govind das on 9735333511 or mail to iskcongs@gmail.com and copy to sgd108@gmail.com
Name of the Bank: State Bank of India
Account Name: “ISKCON GANGA SAGAR FUND”
Savings Account No.: 3633 0963 038
RTGS/IFSC code: SBIN0008890
Bank address: State Bank of India., Vill-Kalibazar, PO. Sagar, South 24 Parganas, WB, India. Pin. 743373.
After remittance, please WhatsApp on 9735333511 or email sgd108@gmail.com and iskcongs@gmail.com with the following details to track the remittance:
