Selfless service by ISKCON devotees.

ISKCON Ayodhya distributes prasadam to over 100,000 visitors on the on January 15th, 2024, the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Vinay Bhushan Chaitanya Das, the director of “Food for Life,” quoted Srila Prabhupada’s iconic words that no one within 10 miles of an ISKCON Temple should go to bed hungry. 

ISKCON Ayodhya prepared 12 pavilions across the holy dham, the most important being the one at the famous Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, also known as Veena Chwok. The director of ISKCON Ayodhya, Dev Shekhar Vishnu Das, has organized this prasadam distribution for the last two years but acknowledged this is a significant time,” This is a special year for all of Ayodhya residents since a grand Ram temple will open on January 22nd,” he continued, “So we thought of getting help from most of the local business owner, and everyone cooperated.

“We also wanted to incorporate a social message with our meal distribution, so we refrained from using any single-use plastic so as to ensure we give our contribution towards the government’s vision of Clean and Single-use plastic-free Ayodhya. This commitment was also widely shared in all our advertising material as well,” said Dev Shekhar Vishnu Das. 

The whole program was accompanied by Harinam sankirtan and book distribution under the leadership of Sadbhuj Gaur Das. Print and electronic media widely covered this event from Ayodhya. Local law enforcement authorities and various devotees from across the world and India partook in the prasadam blissfully.  

To provide some background for the festival, “Makara” means “Capricorn.” The sun’s movement into the zodiac of Capricorn is called Makar Sankranti. This festival is celebrated to honor the son god for the grace of his energy that has enabled life and food on earth.

Photo credits:  Sarvaprabhu Shyam Das.