Odisha Govt to Test Ghee Quality Used in Puri Jagannath Temple’s Mahaprasad

Puri: In response to the controversy surrounding the alleged use of animal fat in Tirupati laddu in Andhra Pradesh, the Odisha Government has decided to test the quality of ghee used at the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

The decision aims to prevent any potential adulteration in the preparation of Mahaprasad at the historic 12th-century temple.

While no complaints have been made regarding the quality of ghee used in the making of Kotha Bhoga (Prasad for the deities) and Barati Bhoga (Prasad for orders), Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain announced that a quality check will be conducted. “There is a possibility of ghee adulteration, and we will consult with Omfed, the ghee supplier for Srimandir, as well as the Suara and Mahasuara Nijog of the temple to standardize the ghee,” Swain stated.

Temple servitors supported the initiative to test the ghee quality. Jagannath Swain Mohapatra, the chief Badagrahi of Lord Jagannath, noted, “Adulterated ghee was previously used for selling diyas on the temple premises, but that was stopped. We will request the temple’s chief administrator to conduct a thorough test of the ghee used in the temple.”

A devotee emphasized the importance of verifying the ghee’s quality, stating, “Without proper verification, the faith of devotees may be compromised. Testing will reassure devotees that the ghee used in the preparation of Mahaprasad is of a standard quality.”