The fallout of the West Asian conflict has cast a dark shadow over the holy kitchen of Digha’s Jagannath Temple. With global LPG supplies disrupted, the temple authorities have been forced to drastically scale down the distribution of ‘Mahaprasad’. The crisis is so acute that the daily meal count, which previously catered to over 3,000 devotees, has been slashed to a mere 750.

While the priests are making every effort to ensure that the deity’s daily rituals continue, the shortage of refills has put the entire system at risk. The crisis isn’t limited to the temple alone; it has spiraled across the tourism hubs of Digha, Mandarmani, and Shankarpur. Hotel owners report a visible decline in tourist footfall as news of fuel scarcity and rising prices spreads.

LPG agents have already warned hotels and restaurants that a steady supply of cylinders cannot be guaranteed. This has pushed many large hotels with in-house restaurants to the brink of closure. Small eateries and cloud kitchens are equally affected, leaving the seaside town’s economy in a precarious state. As the war continues, the future of tourism in Bengal’s favorite getaway remains uncertain.