Satadhar Dham in Gujarat’s Junagadh district has become a prime example of sustainable living and self-sufficiency. The site, linked with Saint Appa Giga, operates a large community kitchen serving 10,000 pilgrims daily using biogas. The facility boasts four operational biogas plants, each capable of producing 85 cubic meters of biogas per day, with two more plants of similar capacity under construction.
The temple complex at Satadhar Dham houses about 1,000 cows, whose dung serves as the primary raw material for the biogas plants. This initiative has significantly reduced reliance on traditional fuels and positioned the shrine as a symbol of eco-friendly practices. Previously, the kitchen heavily used firewood, burning 800–900 kg daily, and later switched to LPG, which proved costly, requiring 10 to 15 cylinders daily. The shift to biogas has not only cut costs but also lessened the environmental impact.
Mahant Vijay Bapu of Satadhar Dham emphasized the importance of achieving self-reliance in cooking through this initiative. He mentioned that the slurry generated as a byproduct of the biogas process is effectively utilized as organic fertilizer in agricultural activities, creating a sustainable resource cycle. This effort aligns with the broader vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to promote renewable energy and environmental sustainability.
Support from the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) has been crucial in scaling up such endeavors. The agency provides subsidies under its Institutional Biogas Plant Scheme to encourage organizations to adopt clean energy solutions. Across Gujarat, various entities are converting organic waste into biogas, with 193 institutional biogas plants established in the state over the past five years, totaling 13,955 cubic meters per day. For the financial year 2025–26, the Union government has allocated Rs 12 crore for the scheme, with approximately 60 new biogas plants currently being installed, and similar targets set for 2026–27.
