Odisha Govt To Quality Check All Ingredients Entering Jagannath Temple’s Kitchen & Mahaprasad

Bhubaneswar: Amid the row over alleged adulteration in Tirupati laddoo prasadam, the Odisha government has decided to have a regular quality check mechanism, especially for Mahaprasad and ghee, at Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.

“All the articles will undergo a quality check before going to the Roshasala (temple’s kitchen). Not only ghee, we will also examine the quality of ingredients being used in the preparation of Mahaprasad, including Abadha,” Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan told reporters on Friday.

He further stated that a food inspector will be appointed to conduct the quality check of Mahaprasad. “The move is aimed at avoiding any controversy as is being reported from other states while sustaining the purity of Mahaprasad and faith of millions of Lord Jagannath devotees. We have requested the Health Department for necessary assistance in the appointment of food inspector at the temple,” he said.

The Minister also mentioned about deployment of 20 ex-army personnel in the Ananda Bazara inside temple earlier this month to ensure that no stale Mahaparasad is sold to devotees. “With both in place, the devotees will be assured of no adulteration in the Mahaprasad,” he added.

Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain has ordered an examination of the quality of ghee used in all types of prasad at the 12th-century shrine. “There has been no allegation regarding the quality of ghee being used for making Kotha Bhoga (prasad for the sibling deities) and Baradi Bhoga (prasad on order) at the shrine. However, a decision has been taken to examine the standard of ghee being supplied by Omfed to allay any fear of adulteration. Discussions will also be held with the Omfed as well as the Suara and Mahasuara Nijog of the temple to standardise the ghee being supplied,” he had said on Tuesday.