Bhubaneswar: The Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee on Friday ordered a probe into the allegations of the use iron ‘kadhai’ to cook Mahaprasad, the sacred food offered to Lord Jagannath. Padhee issued a directive to submit a comprehensive action-taken report within a week.
As per the report, the probe was ordered after allegations surfaced that Mahaprasad was being prepared in a steel vessel instead of the traditional clay pot.
The report should accompany the seized iron ‘kadhai’ allegedly used in the preparation of Mahaprasad. To enforce this directive, Sura, Mahasuara, Roshpaik Nijog, and Rosh Amin have been entrusted with the responsibility.
Furthermore, a three-member team comprising Pattjoshi Mohapatra, Talichcha Mohapatra, and Deulkaran has been assigned to conduct a thorough inspection of the Srimandir Roshasala (Kitchen).
The preparation of Mahaprasad in an iron kadhai is against the traditional practice of Lord Jagannath culture. The Suar and Mahasuara Niyoga had objected to this practice earlier, and had even written to the temple administration about it.
The Chief Administrator has stated that any deviation from the traditional practices will not be tolerated, and that the cultural heritage of Shree Jagannath Temple will be preserved at all costs.
It is worth noting that the use of iron kadhai for preparing Mahaprasad had started following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to a shortage of clay pots.
