Odisha government to test ghee quality used in Puri Jagannath Temple Prasad

After the Tirupati Laddoo controversy, the Odisha government decided to check the quality of ghee in the preparation of prasad at Jagannath temple in Puri. Though in Puri, this sort of allegation has not been raised, but the authorities are proactive in taking preventive measures to ensure purity in the usage of ghee.


As per news reports, Puri District Collector Siddharth Shankar said the administration would closely inspect the quality of ghee used in the preparation of 'Kotha Bhog' and 'Baradi Bhog' and the ordered ones at this 12th-century temple. The state-owned milk supplier, Odisha Milk Federation (OMFED), has a monopoly on the provision of ghee for the temple and it was said that the administration was keen to see that ghee was in quality. During this inspection, all the sevaks engaged in prasad preparation will be consulted.


Previous allegations of adulteration
Temple priest Sevak Jagannath Swain Mohapatra stated that earlier the ghee used to light diyas was adulterated and now it is no more the case, he requested that the chief administrator of the temple should probe into the issue for upholding the faith of the devotees.


Response to the Tirupati Temple Controversy
The move comes in the aftermath of the national debate over the quality of Laddoos prepared at the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. It was alleged by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu that during the tenure of the previous government, substandard materials, including animal fat (including beef tallow and fish oil) were used in preparing the Laddoos. Naidu ordered a Special Investigation Team into the issue in response. As per experts, tallow is made by removing, simmering and clarifying the fatty tissue of beef. It is typically used for cooking at high temperatures such as deep frying and roasting. It is made of saturated fat and is similar in texture to soft butter.


Although no such allegations have been made against the Jagannath temple in Puri, there is a call to be proactive in case of any such issue. “Only standardized ghee should be used for making prasad,” the Puri Collector said, adding that the state's milk federation, OMFED, will be involved in maintaining the standards.


Confirming faith of devotees
A lakh devotees daily pray before the Lord in Jagannath temple and take prasad. Every day, 1 lakh devotees are cooked in the temple kitchen, and the ghee used for cooking as well as to light diyas is provided by OMFED. First Mahaprasad is offered to Lord Jagannath and then to Goddess Bimla.


National demand for probe
The controversy over the Tirupati temple has called for a nationwide probe into the quality of prasad being served in major temples of India. Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu's allegations of corruption against former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy have added fuel to the debate, with religious leaders and political personalities entering the fray. This incident of Tirupati is part of a greater conspiracy against Hindus and Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati from Jyotirmath urged the Centre to take action.


The Hindu assertion of the Odisha government to test the ghee at the Jagannath temple itself is an active step to ensure the trust and faith of the devotees.


With so many temples in limelight for all the wrong reasons, do you think the devotion will die down? Do let us know in the comment box below.

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