Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVSB) Thursday launched a free langar facility at Tarakote, which falls on a picturesque route on way to the cave shrine.
SMVDSB Chief Executive Officer Simrandeep Singh said the communitykitchen will cater to pilgrims round-the-clock and throughout the year with thebeautiful backdrop of floating fountains and Trikuta hills.
Amidst the chanting of mantras, the facility was formallyinaugurated by a group of pilgrims from Mumbai, in the presence of theadditional CEO and other officers of the board.
The facility has commenced at the already existing spaciousbhojanalaya at Tarakote, which can cater to around 200 pilgrims at a time,Singh said.
The kitchen has been equipped with modern kitchenware,stainless steel utensils and other gadgets to provide hygienic and wholesomefood to the pilgrims. The facility can cater to 8,500 pilgrims per day, hesaid.
“The pilgrims are expected to wash their own utensilsafter their meal for which elaborate arrangements have been made,” Singhsaid.
Sanitisation units have been installed for proper hygiene ofthe utensils, he said, adding that pilgrims will be served meals comprisingmostly the traditional food of the region.
“Those willing to donate for the facility can do sothrough donation boxes kept at the site and also online through digitalgateways. Their details will be uploaded on the shrine board website for theconvenience of the pilgrims”, he said.