AHMEDABAD, June 28: After the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj earlier this year, the business tycoon Gautam Adani, along with his family, attended the traditional Jagannath Rath Yatra at the famous temple town of Puri in Odisha on Friday and also took part in preparing “Prasad” for distribution among the devotees in the temple.
The richest man of India was accompanied by his wife Priti Adani and son Karan Adani. The chairman of the Adani group and his family members also participated in various religious rituals associated with the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, brother Lord Balbhadra and sister Goddess Subhadra.
The Adani Group is also providing support and assistance to the devotees as well as the local authorities in smoothly conducting the nine-day festivities which ends with the return of the three chariots after spending a week at the Gundicha temple, considered to be the home of the Lord’s maternal uncle.
The support activities are being provided in coordination with the Adani Foundation, The activities would include large-scale meal distribution, provision of drinking water, safety gear for workers, and collaboration with local volunteers and institutions.
From June 26 to July 8, the Adani Group has committed to providing an estimated 4 million meals and beverages to volunteers, devotees, and frontline workers. These will be distributed through different food stalls set up across Puri. Cool beverage stalls have also been established to help pilgrims manage the intense summer heat in Odisha.
In addition to food and water, the group has distributed fluorescent vests to municipal workers, T-shirts for volunteers, and rainwear, including jackets, caps, and umbrellas, for security personnel and devotees. Lifeguards affiliated with the Puri Beach Lifeguard Mahasangha are also receiving logistical support. This Seva is undertaken in coordination with the Puri district administration, ISKCON, and various local civil society organizations.
A similar kind of Initiative and support had been offered by the Adani- Group during the sacred Maha- Kumbh Earlier this year, which included food distribution and services for the pilgrims in partnership with religious and civic bodies.
(Subham Singh)
