Tirupati: A Rs 1.20 crore huge solar powered cooker, claimed to be the world's largest, would take over preparation of free meals to pilgrims thronging the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara from October.

The cooker, being set up at the free meal canteen located close to the temple in the Tirumala, would provide meals to about 30,000 devotees daily from annual Brahmotsavam festival commencing on October 7, temple sources said on September 6 night.

The cost of the solar cooker included a subsidy of Rs 50 lakh from the Union Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources.

The technology for the development of the cooker had been obtained from a German company, the sources said adding with its induction, the temple administration was expected to save huge amount spent for diesel, presently used in the ovens.

PTI