Bhubaneswar: In a significant crackdown, the Puri Cyber Police have arrested a Bhubaneswar-based real estate businessman for allegedly operating a website that illegally sold Mahaprasad, the sacred offering of Bhagwan Jagannath from the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The accused, Dispoza Pattnaik, was found running a website namedshreeprasad.org, which falsely claimed to deliver Mahaprasad sourced directly from the temple’s Rosaghara (kitchen) to devotees’ homes. The site also featured images of the temple and its offerings, misleading people into believing it was an authorised service associated with the Srimandir administration.
According to police sources, Pattnaik had advertised on another platform called Shrimahaprasad, asserting that devotees could purchase authentic Mahaprasad online. The advertisement quickly went viral, sparking widespread outrage among devotees and religious groups, who condemned the act as the commercialisation of a sacred ritual.
The issue came to light after Hemant Kumar Padhi, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for Security at the Shree Jagannath Temple, reported the suspicious website to the authorities. In his complaint filed with the Puri Cyber Police, Padhi stated that the website’s claims were damaging the temple’s reputation and hurting the religious sentiments of devotees. The website’s contact number, 9658824596, was traced to Pattnaik, leading to his arrest in Bhubaneswar.
Confirming the arrest, Puri Superintendent of Police (SP) Prateek Singh stated, “A complaint was registered with Cyber Police on October 22 regarding the unauthorised online sale of Mahaprasad. Our investigation revealed that Dispoza Pattnaik, a Bhubaneswar-based builder, was behind the operation. He has confessed to creating the website with his brother-in-law’s assistance. Strict action will be taken against anyone found involved in this illegal activity.”
The SP further emphasised the sanctity of Mahaprasad, stating that the sacred food should not be traded or distributed commercially. The Srimandir administration maintains that Mahaprasad can only be obtained from Ananda Bazaar, the designated temple marketplace, and any other sales channels are unauthorised.
Police have begun an in-depth investigation to determine whether others are involved in the racket. Officials are also examining the possibility of multiple websites engaged in similar illegal activities.
Adding to the controversy, investigators discovered that food items such as Anna (rice), Dali (dal), and Kanika (sweet rice) were being sold online at prices ranging from Rs 700 to Rs 1,000 per package. Even Sukhili Bhog (dry offerings) and Khechudi (spiced rice) were marketed under the label of “Srimandir Mahaprasad,” raising concerns about authenticity and religious exploitation.
Authorities have urged the public not to fall for such fraudulent claims and to obtain Mahaprasad only through official and traditional means within the temple premises. Further action against the accused and any accomplices is currently underway.
In recent months, several fraudulent websites and mobile applications have emerged, deceiving devotees by collecting payments in both Indian rupees and US dollars for hotel bookings, darshan slots, and Mahaprasad orders. Concerned servitors have urged authorities to take strict action against these misleading online platforms.
