Puri: A fresh controversy has emerged amid allegations of unauthorised sale of sacred Mahaprasad outside Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri, prompting the authorities to launch a probe.
The incident came to light when some people were seen selling cooked food, including rice, dal, dalma, besara, mahura and kanika, displayed in bamboo baskets and served on leaf plates in front of the Uttara Dwara of the 12th century shrine.
The food, stated to be sacred cooked offerings, was reportedly being sold to devotees under the name of ‘Pinda Bhoga’.
While some devotees purchased and consumed the food, others objected to its sale at the spot, raising concerns over the sanctity and traditional practices associated with Mahaprasad.
Condemning the incident, Suara Mahasuara Niyoga president Padmanabha Mahasuara described it as an affront to the heritage and traditions of the 12th-century shrine. Mahaprasad should be sold only at the temple’s Ananda Bazar and not at any other location, he said.
However, considering the surging demand for Abadha, the temple administration has proposed setting up two designated counters near the west and north gates for the sale of Abadha, he said.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has already taken steps to safeguard the religious and scriptural identity of Mahaprasad by registering its symbol mark and wordmark to prevent commercial misuse.
Following widespread outrage among devotees, Puri Collector and Deputy Chief Administrator of the SJTA Dibyajyoti Parida said the matter had come to the notice of the administration. .
The Development Administrator of SJTA has been asked to conduct a probe, he said, adding that strict action will be taken if any adulteration or deviation from the laid down norms is detected, he said.