Puri: A major controversy erupted over allegations of vanaspati ghee being used in the preparation of Mahaprasad at Puri’s Jagannath Temple.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has sought explanation from a servitor of the Mahasuar Nijog who reportedly violated the temple’s established guidelines mandating the use of only OMFED ghee for preparation of Mahaprasad and in other temple rituals.
The servitor has been issued a formal notice for allegedly breaching the guidelines.
Arabinda Padhee, Chief Administrator of SJTA, said on Monday the directive for using only OMFED ghee at Srimandir is very much in force, and that no act of indiscipline will be tolerated.
Padhee asserted that strict action will be taken if anyone is found to have violated rules.
The Odisha government decided a year ago that only OMFED ghee would be used for all temple rituals and related activities, including preparation of Mahaprasad and lighting of earthen lamps inside the Jagannath temple.
SJTA reiterated that compliance with approved standards is mandatory to maintain the sanctity and purity of Mahaprasad.
