Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to promote sustainable agriculture and preserve temple traditions, the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will begin using organic rice for the preparation of Kotha Bhoga starting from the Rath Yatra in 2026. This announcement was made by Arbinda Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Odisha Agriculture Department and Chief of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
Padhee explained that the organic rice will be sourced through the Balabhadra Jaivik Chasa Mission, an initiative designed to promote organic farming across various districts of Odisha. Farmers from Niali in Cuttack, Bargarh, and Jeypore in Koraput are currently engaged in cultivating rice specifically for temple offerings. The initiative is being jointly implemented under the Shree Anna Abhiyan and the Balabhadra Jaivik Chasa Mission, both of which provide financial assistance and technical guidance to farmers involved in organic cultivation.
Officials confirmed that the harvested organic rice will initially be used to prepare Kotha Bhoga, the sacred offering made daily to Bhagwan Jagannath, followed by Mahaprasad, the consecrated food distributed to devotees.
Sources indicate that the rice has already been harvested during the Kharif season and is ready for transportation to the Shree Jagannath Temple for the preparation of the offerings.
Notably, the SJTA Chief reportedly visited these areas and interacted with the farmers involved in this initiative.
Padhee stated that the project aims to create a balance between traditional temple practices and sustainable agriculture. He added that this move will not only enhance the sanctity of temple offerings but also provide farmers with a stable and sustainable source of income.
In a significant step towards integrating eco-friendly practices with temple management, the SJTA also plans to introduce organic Mahaprasad through a dedicated counter at Ananda Bazar in Puri. Devotees will soon be able to partake in organically prepared Mahaprasad, with plans to gradually extend the use of organic ingredients to other temple rituals and offerings.
Officials highlighted that this initiative will directly benefit farmers while ensuring the availability of high-quality organic rice for temple use. The Odisha government has emphasised that this effort aligns with its broader goals of environmental sustainability, food purity, and cultural preservation.
The use of organic rice for Kotha Bhoga is expected to be fully implemented from Rath Yatra 2026 onwards, marking a milestone in the convergence of traditional devotion and sustainable development in Odisha.
