Puri: In a matter raising serious concern over adherence to temple protocols, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has sought an explanation from a servitor of the Mahasuar Nijog for allegedly using vanaspati ghee in the preparation of Mahaprasad at the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
According to temple sources, the servitor reportedly violated the administration’s directive that mandates the exclusive use of OMFED ghee for all temple rituals and Mahaprasad preparation. A formal notice has been issued to the servitor for breaching the prescribed guidelines.
SJTA Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Padhee on Monday reaffirmed that the directive to use only OMFED ghee at Shree Jagannath Temple remains firmly in force. “Any act of indiscipline or deviation from the approved standards will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken against anyone found violating the rules,” Dr. Padhee stated.
The Odisha Government had earlier directed that only OMFED ghee be used in all temple-related activities, including cooking Mahaprasad and lighting earthen lamps inside the 12th-century shrine. The SJTA has reiterated that strict compliance is essential to maintain the sanctity and purity of the Mahaprasad, which holds immense religious significance for devotees.
