Gandhinagar, March 29 (NationPress) In an extraordinary showcase of eco-friendly living and independence, Satadhar Dham has become a leading example of renewable energy utilization, featuring a vast community kitchen that serves approximately 10,000 pilgrims daily, all powered by biogas.

Situated in Gujarat's Junagadh district and linked to the esteemed Saint Appa Giga, this pilgrimage site—famous for its evening aarti—has recently garnered acclaim for hosting the state’s largest biogas facility.

Currently, four biogas plants, each capable of producing 85 cubic metres per day, are active on the site, with two additional plants of similar capacity in the pipeline.

This initiative has drastically cut down on reliance on traditional fuels, establishing the shrine as a beacon of sustainable practices.

The temple complex is home to nearly 1,000 cows, with their dung serving as the primary feedstock for the biogas plants.

Daily, around 8,000 kg of cow dung is processed to generate fuel for the 'annakshetra' (community kitchen), ensuring that cooking for thousands of devotees remains uninterrupted.

Previously, the kitchen was heavily dependent on firewood, using between 800–900 kg per day.

Switching to LPG had also been costly, necessitating 10 to 15 cylinders daily.

The shift to biogas has not only lowered expenses but also reduced environmental degradation.

Mahant Vijay Bapu of Satadhar Dham emphasized the importance of this project, stating that the institution has attained full self-reliance in its cooking operations.

Additionally, the slurry produced as a byproduct of the biogas process is effectively repurposed as organic fertilizer for agricultural use, fostering a sustainable resource cycle.

This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's vision to promote renewable energy and environmental preservation.

Support from the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) has been crucial in advancing these efforts.

Through its Institutional Biogas Plant Scheme, subsidies are available to motivate organizations to adopt clean energy methods.

Throughout Gujarat, gaushalas, educational institutions, and charitable organizations are increasingly transforming organic waste—like cattle dung, agricultural remnants, and kitchen scraps—into biogas via anaerobic processes.

This resulting fuel serves as a cost-effective alternative for cooking, while the residual slurry enhances soil fertility.

Officials reported that over the last five years, 193 institutional biogas plants with a cumulative capacity of 13,955 cubic metres per day have been established statewide.

For the financial year 2025–26, the Union government has allocated Rs 12 crore under this scheme, with about 60 new biogas plants already being installed.

Similar objectives have been outlined for 2026–27.

The effort at Satadhar Dham exemplifies how traditional institutions can adopt modern sustainable practices while effectively serving society at a larger scale.