Mangaluru: Kadri Manjunatha temple turns to firewood to cook meals for devotees

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 13, 2026: With the scarcity of commercial LPG cylinders continuing, the Kadri Manjunatha temple in Mangaluru, a prominent place of worship under the Muzrai department, began cooking meals for devotees using firewood on Thursday.

A temple trustee, Dilraj Alva, said the temple serves ‘anna prasada’ (lunch) to around 1,500 people daily, rising to 3,000 on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. The temple kitchen usually consumes four 19-kg cylinders daily.

“As regular supply of commercial cylinders is yet to be restored, the temple is now cooking all dishes using firewood. If the supply isn’t restored within a week, we may have to cook only rice and rasam,” Mr. Alva said.

Kudroli Gokarnanatheswara Temple Supply Steady

In contrast, the Kudroli Gokarnanatheswara temple’s LPG supply has not been affected. Treasurer R. Padmaraj stated that the temple feeds around 900 devotees daily, increasing to 1,500 on Mondays. The kitchen uses three cylinders every two days, and the gas agency has assured timely supply.

Kukke Subrahmanya Temple Faces No Shortage

Yesuraj, Assistant Executive Officer at Kukke Subrahmanya temple, one of the busiest in the State, confirmed that LPG supply is adequate. The temple receives 18 cylinders daily against a requirement of 20. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner to 8,000–10,000 devotees daily, with 47 lakh devotees visiting since April 2025.

Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple Prepares Firewood

Sources at Kateel Durgaparameshwari temple, also under the Muzrai department, said the temple feeds around 4,000 devotees daily, rising to 15,000 on Fridays and 8,000 on Sundays. The kitchen requires 10–15 cylinders daily, and with LPG supply disrupted, the temple has ordered firewood as a precaution to ensure uninterrupted meals.

Mass Feeding at Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt Continues

Udayakumar Saralattaya, Diwan of Udupi Shiroor Mutt, now managing Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt, said mass feeding continues smoothly. LPG cylinders are currently available, and in case of future shortages, the mutt can switch to firewood. The mutt has its own forest for fuel and is finalizing a bio-gas unit to make its kitchen self-sustaining.

Hotel Owners to Discuss LPG Scarcity

The Udupi District Hotel Owners’ Association has called a meeting of hotel and restaurant owners at Hotel Diana on Friday at 10 a.m. to discuss measures in view of the ongoing LPG shortage, said association president Talluru Shivarama Shetty.