Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has lodged a police complaint against persons allegedly selling Mahaprasad outside the Srimandir, following protests by devotees over what they described as disrespect to the sacred offering of Lord Jagannath.
The complaint was filed at Singhadwara police station after the sale of Mahaprasad on leaf plates outside the temple triggered widespread resentment among devotees.
Srimandir Chief Administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee said selling Mahaprasad outside the temple by exploiting the heavy rush of devotees was against the prescribed rules. He said the administration was taking steps to regulate its sale within the temple premises.
Padhee further said the administration would hold discussions with servitors after the month of Kartika to streamline the sale of Mahaprasad and dry offerings at Ananda Bazar.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over the difficulties faced by devotees in procuring Mahaprasad from Ananda Bazar. Despite waiting for hours in queues at the barricades, many devotees are compelled to depend on middlemen or vendors outside the temple to obtain the sacred offering.
Advocate Sarat Rayguru stressed the need for a clear set of guidelines to ensure that devotees could purchase Mahaprasad through an organised system without prolonged waiting.
Another issue drawing attention is the absence of an officially displayed price list at Ananda Bazar, despite directions from the Supreme Court.
Management Committee member Jagannath Pujapanda said the prices of Mahaprasad were likely to rise in view of fluctuations in market rates and the cost of vegetables.
Former Management Committee member Ananta Tiadi also emphasised the need to display a price chart at Ananda Bazar to facilitate transparent and systematic transactions. However, he pointed out that the prices could be revised periodically depending on market conditions.
The developments have renewed demands for a regulated distribution mechanism, transparent pricing and better arrangements to ensure that devotees can obtain Mahaprasad conveniently and with due dignity.
