Puri: Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Arabinda Padhee, launched an investigation into allegations of theft of 70 modaks from the Garada Ghara of Jagannath temple in Puri.
According to sources, the modaks, prepared by the royal physicians (Raja vaidya) for the Dasamula ritual, were stored in the temple’s secure Garada Ghara. As many as 313 amuniya modaks were prepared, but 70 were found missing during the offering ritual on June 21, the day of Anavasara Ekadashi.
The modaks are an essential part of the rituals performed to aid in the recovery of the ailing sibling deities.
Talking to the media, he said, “The primary investigation has found no evidence to support the allegations levelled by Balabhadra’s Badagrahi, Haldhar Das Mahapatra. The temple administration officials and Garada Ghara officials never touch or count the Damula modaks brought by the Baidya servitor to the Garada Ghara.”
He said, “We have taken the issue seriously. CCTV footage will be checked. If anyone is found guilty, action will be taken against the responsible party. We should not discuss secret rituals pertaining to sibling deities. Instead, we would like to urge the media to cooperate and make the Rath Yatra successful.”
Earlier in the day, Haldhar Das Mahapatra had brought this allegation of stealing of sacred modaks from Garada Ghara and questioned how the remaining modaks were used in the ritual.
Also, Mahapatra has formally written to the Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, demanding a thorough investigation into the theft and the circumstances surrounding it
