The servitors of the Puri Jagannath temple have raised objections to the Odisha law minister’s proposal to inspect the quality of Lord Jagannath’s
Mahaprasad.

They cautioned the minister not to interfere with the temple’s age-old traditions, asserting that they have the required mechanism to ensure the quality of the Mahaprasad.

President of the Mahasura and Suara Niyog (servitors who are responsible for cooking the Mahaprasad), Padmanva Mahasuara, told The Telegraph: “Following the row over adulteration in laddoos at famous Tirupati temple, we are also concerned whether the right quality of Mahaprasad is being given to the devotees. No adulterated ghee should be used in the preparation of the Mahaprasad. However, this does not mean the state government will intervene in the temple’s
long-standing traditions.”

Padmanava said: “The state government can check the quality of the ingredients used, like ghee, dal, and vegetables before they enter the temple to make the Mahaprasad. But once the Mahaprasad is cooked and offered to the Lord Jagannath, its not permissible to check its quality inside the temple, according to our customs and traditions. Our members are vigilant and ensure that the process of quality check is followed diligently. The practice has been followed for ages.”

He added: “ We also need to ascertain that good quality ghee is used for the Mahaprasad. The state government can inspect it before it enters the temple through the southern gate. The devotees should be assured that the ghee used in preparing the Mahaprasad is of good quality.”

Padnanava also maintained that no one should be allowed to sell stale Mahaprasad in the market. “The food inspector can check that,” he said.

Following the controversy over the use of animal fat in making laddoos at the Tirupati temple, Odisha law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan had said the quality of the Mahaparasad would be checked.

“The state government is aware of the Tirupati issue, food inspectors will be appointed so that the allegations that are surfacing at other temples are not reported from Puri Jagannath Temple. There is no impurity in Lord Jagannath’s Mahaprasad, and it will never happen,” Harichandan had said.

The state government has asked the OMFED (Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation Limited) to ensure that they maintain the standard of the ghee supplied to the 12th century shrine and other temples.

Mahaprasad is cooked for more than 50,000 people daily. On special occasions and festivals, the number even crosses one lakh. The mahaprasad comprises of a variety of dishes, including cooked rice, dals, vegetable curries, sweet treats, and cakes. Besides the cooked food, Sukhila (dry) Mahaprasad is also prepared everyday.

Baman Prasad Das, a former BSNL employee, said: “ The government should ensure that good quality ghee is being used and the devotees get the right sort of Mahaprasad. People travel thousands of kilometres to have a darshan of the deity and get the Mahaprasad inside the shrine. All possible steps should be taken to protect their trust in the temple.”