Odisha Govt Bans Ganja Use At Shiva Shrines

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to prohibit the use of Ganja at Shiva shrines across the state.

In a letter dated May 10, Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department directed collectors and SPs of all the districts to take necessary steps to stop the use of the weed at temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. “Like the practice of animal sacrifice was banned at Bhagabati Temple in Banapur and it was banned in most of the temples subsequently, restriction will be imposed on use of ganja in all Shaivite temples in Odisha,” informed Minister Ashwini Patra.

While ganja is not offered to the deity at Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar, it is a century-old practice observed during ‘Gharsana’ ritual of Lord Shiva at Akhandalamani shrine in Bhadrak and the ‘bhog’ later offered to the devotees. Religious preacher Balia Baba, the head of Ananta Balia Trust, on April 13 had written to the Excise Department to ban use of ganja at this shrine.

“Hundreds of devotees from across the state visit the Shiva shrine every day. However, an excessive use of ganja in the name of Lord Shiva is polluting the religious spirit of the place,” he wrote.