Odisha Govt Rejects Proposal for Online Sale of Puri Jagannath Temple’s ‘Mahaprasad’

The Odisha government has turned down a proposal from certain organisations to sell the revered ‘Mahaprasad’ of Puri’s Shree Jagannath Temple through online platforms, citing concerns over preserving its sanctity.

State Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said on Monday that some organisations had recently approached the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) with the idea of delivering ‘Mahaprasad’ and ‘dry prasad’ to devotees worldwide via digital ordering services.

“Though it was a good idea to provide the prasad to devotees globally, the government and SJTA rejected the proposal to preserve the sanctity of the holy offering,” Harichandan told reporters.

‘Mahaprasad’ is considered sacred food offered to Lord Jagannath and holds deep religious significance for millions of devotees. Traditionally, it is available only within the temple premises and the Anand Bazaar in Puri.

The decision reinforces the temple administration’s stance on maintaining age-old traditions and rituals associated with the preparation and distribution of the holy offering.