No Plan For Online Sale Of Puri Jagannath Temple Mahaprasad: Odisha Minister

Bhubaneswar: Amid proposals by some outfits for online delivery of sacred offerings from the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Monday made it clear that there is no plan to sell the Mahaprasad online platforms

Harichandan told reporters that the spiritual and cultural significance of ‘Mahaprasad’ is deeply rooted in Hindu tradition and any attempt to commercialise it through digital platforms could compromise its sacredness.

Referring to the recent proposals from some organisations to deliver Mahaprasad and dry prasad to devotees via online orders, the Minister said while the idea aimed at reaching devotees across the country and abroad, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has rejected the move to preserve the sanctity of the holy offering.

“We have doubts about whether the sanctity of ‘Mahaprasad’ can be maintained if it is transported and delivered in this manner,” he said.

Therefore, there is no government plans to facilitate the online sale or distribution of the offering, nor is there any official endorsement for platforms claiming to do so, the Minister said.

“We do not support or promote any such initiative. Those selling food items online under the name of ‘Mahaprasad’ are not authorised. There is no system in place for its online distribution,” he asserted.