Gouranga Prasada Seva

"I want that you shall distribute prasadam at least to hundreds of persons daily, and advertise very widely all over Nadia Province for people to come there and take prasadam daily without charge. ... we can expand this program widely throughout India and become very much popular with the people as a whole. So try to expand this programas much as possible at Mayapur and let me know."
- (Srila Prabhupada, letter to Bhavananda Prabhu, 1 August 1972)

Early in 2010, Food for life Mayapur started a unique project for serving full-meal prasada to visiting pilgrims calledGauranga Prasada Seva. The project was inspired, named and guided by His Grace Jananivasa Prabhu. Despite its humble beginnings, this project is aiming at serving full-meal prasada to all visiting pilgrims.

Gauranga Prasada Seva program was inaugurated on 14th February 2010 by His Grace Jananivasa Prabhu and His Grace Pankajanghri Prabhu, the head pujaris of ISKCON Mayapur.

Currently, we are feeding prasada meals to at least 100 visiting pilgrims per day. Each plate of prasada consists of rice, dal, seasonal subjis and sweet rice. Occasionally, additional items are served. We distribute coupons to those who attend the early morning darsana in the temple courtyard near Conch Building. The meals are served in the Brahmachari Prasada Hall between 12 to 1 in the afternoon.

The pilgrims express their gratitude to the Lord and His devotees who have sponsored the seva by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra before honoring the prasada. By serving the pilgrims in this way, one accumulates great piety and spiritual benefit (sukriti) for this life and the next.

The Vishnu-smriti says, "The goddess of fortune Lakshmi resides in those who are charitable."