In a bid to maintain the sanctity of religious offerings and address concerns about adulterated ghee, the Odisha government has announced its decision to test the quality of ghee used at the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri. This move comes in the wake of a recent controversy surrounding the alleged use of animal fat in ghee for laddus offered at the Tirumala temple in Andhra Pradesh.
While no similar allegations have been made against the ghee used in Puri, the administration has decided to take a proactive approach by examining the quality of ghee used for both ‘Kotha Bhoga’ (offerings for the deities) and ‘Baradi Bhoga’ (prasad on order). Puri’s District Collector, Siddharth Shankar Swain, assured devotees that the Odisha Milk Federation (Omfed), the sole supplier of ghee to the temple, has a controlled supply system.
“We have decided to verify the standard of ghee provided by Omfed to alleviate any concerns about adulteration,” Swain stated. Discussions are planned with both Omfed representatives and temple servitors responsible for preparing the prasad.
This decision stems from past incidents where adulterated ghee was discovered being used for lighting diyas on the temple grounds. Jagannath Swain Mohapatra, a temple servitor, confirmed that this practice has since been discontinued. “We will request a thorough examination of the ghee used here to maintain the faith of devotees,” he asserted.
The focus on ghee quality at the Jagannath Temple comes in the wake of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s concerns about the use of substandard ingredients and animal fats in laddus at the Tirupati temple. This scrutiny, particularly directed at the previous YSRCP government, has heightened awareness and sensitivity around food quality in religious offerings across temples in the region.
The Odisha government’s proactive stance aims to reassure devotees of the quality and sanctity of their spiritual practices at one of India’s most significant temples. By ensuring the integrity and purity of offerings, the government seeks to maintain the trust and faith of devotees in the Jagannath Temple.
