Bhubaneswar, The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has taken strict action against three servitors at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, for using iron pans (Kadhai) to prepare the sacred ‘Mahaprasad’ or ‘Abhada’ for the Bhagwans. According to Arabinda Padhee, Chief Administrator of SJTA, the temple administration views this violation seriously, as it goes against traditional practices.
“Their actions not only violated the long-standing tradition of cooking Mahaprasad in earthen pots in the temple’s ‘Rosaghar’ (kitchen), but also hurt the sentiments of the thousands of devotees who visit the temple daily to partake of the food offered to the Lords,” he added.
“All three servitors have been banned from entering the temple premises and the Rosaghar. One of them, a Palia servitor, has been prohibited from performing any services for the Bhagwan,” Padhee said.
He further emphasized that any form of indiscipline among the Bhagwan Jagannath’s services or any violation of the temple’s traditions and practices would not be tolerated. He added that the temple administration has taken steps against the servitors to convey this message to everyone.
The SJTA acted based on a probe report from a group of servitors. After allegations surfaced regarding the use of iron pans in the Rosaghara on September 12, the temple administration instructed members of the Suar Mahasura Nijog, Bidua Panti Badu Nijog, Rosapaika Nijog, and Rosa Aminas to confiscate the pans, investigate the matter, and submit their findings.
Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan also made it clear that strict action will be taken in the event of any deviations from the rituals at Puri Srimandir. He stated that the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has received directives on this matter.
Regarding the recent incident involving the use of iron pans instead of earthen pots in the temple’s kitchen, the Minister noted that the situation is under review. The Odisha government has instructed the SJTA to enforce strict measures. “Anyone found involved in the deviation of rituals at Srimandir will face severe consequences,” said the Law Minister.
It should be noted that on September 12, following allegations regarding the use of iron pans in the Rosaghara, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), initiated an investigation into the matter. He directed that a comprehensive report be submitted.
At that time, he specified that the investigation report should include details about the seized iron ‘kadhai’ allegedly used in the preparation of Mahaprasad. To ensure compliance, Sura, Mahasuara, Roshpaik Nijog, and Rosh Amin were assigned to enforce this directive.
The use of an iron kadhai for Mahaprasad preparation is a violation of the traditional practices associated with Lord Jagannath’s culture. The Suar and Mahasuara Niyoga had previously raised objections to this practice and had brought it to the attention of the temple administration.
