Dedicated Food Inspector to Oversee Quality of Mahaprasad at Puri Jagannath Temple

BHUBANESWAR: In a significant move aimed at maintaining the sanctity and quality of the Mahaprasad at Sri Jagannath Temple, a dedicated food inspector will soon be appointed to ensure that the ingredients used in the preparation of Mahaprasad, dry Bhog, and ghee for diyas are of the highest standard.

Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan confirmed this development while speaking to the media, stating that the department has requested the appointment of a food inspector specifically for this purpose. The inspector’s role will be to carefully monitor the quality of the Mahaprasad and other essential items used in temple rituals.

“We are committed to ensuring that only pure ghee is used in the preparation of Prasad and for lighting diyas in the temple. The goal is to uphold the sanctity of the offerings by using top-quality products,” the Minister remarked.

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) will soon issue comprehensive guidelines detailing the quality standards for ghee and other edible items used in the temple. These guidelines are expected to help streamline the quality control process and eliminate any discrepancies in the preparation of temple offerings.

This move comes on the heels of a recent controversy at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, where allegations surfaced claiming that animal fat and adulterated ghee were being used in the preparation of ladoos offered as Prasad. The incident has sparked widespread concern, prompting the Odisha government to take preventive measures to protect the purity and reputation of Mahaprasad at Puri’s Jagannath Temple.

With these new measures, the temple administration hopes to reassure devotees and uphold the centuries-old tradition of offering the highest quality Prasad to Lord Jagannath and his devotees