Puri: The alleged unauthorised sale of Mahaprasad (Abadha) outside the Puri Srimandir has sparked concern among servitors, prompting the temple and district administrations to initiate an inquiry into the matter.
The incident came to light on Sunday when some people were found selling cooked food, including rice, dal, dalma, besara, mahura and kanika, packed in khalli leaves and displayed in bamboo baskets in front of the temple’s Uttara Dwara. The food was reportedly being sold to devotees under the name of ‘Pinda Bhoga’.
While some devotees purchased and consumed the food, others objected to its sale at the spot, raising concerns over the sanctity and traditional practices associated with Mahaprasad.
Reacting to the incident, Suara Mahasuara Niyoga president Padmanabha Mahasuara condemned the practice, describing it as an affront to the heritage and traditions of the 12th-century shrine.
He maintained that Mahaprasad should be sold only at the temple’s Ananda Bazar and not at any other location. However, considering the demand among devotees, the Srimandir administration has proposed setting up two designated counters near the West Gate and Uttara Dwara for the sale of Abadha, he said.
The temple administration has already taken steps to safeguard the religious and scriptural identity of Mahaprasad by registering its symbol mark and wordmark to prevent commercial misuse.
Meanwhile, Puri Collector and Deputy Chief Administrator of the Srimandir administration Dibyajyoti Parida said the matter had come to the administration’s notice.
He said the Srimandir Development Administrator had been directed to conduct an inquiry and warned that strict action would be taken if any adulteration was detected.
