70 Modaks ‘stolen' from Srimandir, Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan refutes claims
The traditional medicinal formulations, made from different kinds of herbs and natural ingredients, are offered to the Trinity during the Anasara period, when the deities suffer from fever.
While a complaint in this regard was filed by the badagrahi of Lord Balabhadra Haladhar Das Mohapatra with the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Tuesday refuted the allegation. The incident came to light on June 21 night when 313 Modaks were brought to the shrine's Garada Ghara under tight security. The next day during the Anavasara Ekadashi ritual, only 243 Modaks were reportedly found, prompting Das Mohapatra to file a formal complaint with SJTA.
Temple chief administrator Arabinda Padhee acknowledged receipt of the complaint. However, Harichandan termed the allegations of theft as baseless. 'The Modaks which are offered to the deities are never counted before the offering. Hence, there is no question of theft. Action will be taken against those who are trying to create such unnecessary controversy,' he said.
Padhee said investigation into the allegation is underway but preliminary findings do not substantiate the theft claims. Stating that this is a confidential ritual of the shrine, he also cautioned against public discussion of such matters.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Law to curb taking spy cameras inside Puri temple mooted
Puri: The Odisha government on Tuesday said it was contemplating amending the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1955, to make provision for carrying spy cameras and taking pictures or video inside the 12th-century shrine in Puri as a cognisable offence with provision of punishment. This was stated by Odisha Law Minister Prithithiviraj Harichandan while reacting to frequent trespassing of individuals into the temple, taking hidden cameras in different ways. The minister said, 'There should be a proper law to curb such a situation. It is very difficult to identify the people carrying spy cameras inside the temple. The police can know about the spy camera only when there is a flashlight while taking pictures. Therefore, a law is most essential.' Meanwhile, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) convened a high-level meeting over the frequent incidents of spy cameras being taken inside the temple and suggested that the State government formulate a law to prevent it. 'We have given four proposals to the Law department, which include penalties and jail term for unauthorised photography and taking spy equipment and other electronic gadgets inside the temple,' said SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee. 'We have suggested to the State government to amend the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1955 and make taking mobile phones, video cameras, spy cameras and others a cognisable offence, any activities that hurt religious sentiments to have a provision of imprisonment, and flying drones above the temple a non-bailable offence. The government will take the final decision over our proposal,' Padhee told reporters here. On Tuesday morning, security personnel in Jagannath Temple nabbed a man identified as Pratish Pal of Paschim Bardhaman district in West Bengal for taking a mobile phone and spy glasses inside the temple. He was detained and his mobile and spy glasses were seized. Bipul Patel, a native of Gujarat, was caught on Monday while entering the temple with spy camera-equipped glasses. A week ago, a man from Puri town, identified as Abhijit Kar, was intercepted in a similar incident. The Puri man admitted that he had taken the spy camera-fitted spectacles to capture visuals of deities and interiors. In all three cases, the police had to release the alleged offenders due to lack of proper legislation to punish such people, a police officer said. Puri SP Pinak Mishra admitted that it was a real challenge for the police to locate people taking spy camera inside the temple. He said such incidents are being dealt with strictly. The security personnel are told to keep a vigil on such cases, and discussions are held with the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on bringing in a specific law to curb such activities. The SP said taking mobile phones, video cameras and capturing pictures of the interior of the temple are strictly prohibited.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Govt mulling law amendment to make filming in Puri shrine a punishable offence: Min
Puri: Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan Tuesday said the state govt was contemplating amending the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1955, to make provision for carrying spy cameras and taking pictures or video inside the 12th-century shrine in Puri as a cognisable offence with provision of punishment. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The minister made the statement after a devotee from West Bengal was detained on Tuesday for allegedly attempting to enter the shrine with a hidden camera embedded in his spectacles, the third such incident within a week. "There should be a proper law to curb such a situation. It is very difficult to identify the people carrying spy cameras inside the temple. The police could know about the spy camera only when there is a flashlight while taking pictures. Therefore, a law is most essential," Harichandan said. Partish Pal from West Burdwan was caught at the shrine's west gate by cops on Tuesday. A spy camera-equipped spectacle and his mobile phone were seized. Pal is in police custody. The incident comes just a day after Bipul Patel (55), from Gujarat's Surat, was caught filming inside the temple using a spectacles fitted with a concealed camera. He was apprehended near Kirtana Chakada at 5:30pm on Monday. The device was connected to his smartphone, which was later seized from his hotel room. On July 29, a local, Abhijit Kar, was caught taking photographs inside the temple with a hidden camera in his glasses. All three incidents are being investigated by police. The repeated violations prompted the shrine administration to convene a high-level meeting, which was attended by Chhatisa Nijog servitors, Puri district collector Dibya Jyoti Mishra and chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Arabinda Padhee. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Following the meeting, Padhee said that a proposal will be sent to the state govt seeking amendment of the temple Act. One key proposal is to introduce up to seven years of imprisonment and non-bailable warrant for individuals attempting to damage the sanctity of Jagannath culture, including through unauthorised filming or use of electronic devices. "Anyone caught using spy cams, drones or hidden devices will face strict legal action. Only security personnel will be allowed to use mobile phones inside the temple, and that too in designated zones for official communication," Padhee said. He clarified that no servitor or official would be permitted to carry phones on the temple premises. The meeting also decided that a standard rate chart for Mahaprasad will soon be displayed at Ananda Bazaar, addressing growing concerns about administration also resolved to ensure that only Omfed ghee will be used for all temple rituals to maintain purity and quality.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Odisha mulling taking spy cameras inside Puri Jagannath temple a cognizable offence: Minister
Bhubaneswar/Puri, The Odisha government on Tuesday said it was contemplating amending the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1955, to make provision of taking spy cameras and taking pictures or video inside the 12th-century shrine in Puri as a cognizable offence with provision of punishment. Odisha mulling taking spy cameras inside Puri Jagannath temple a cognizable offence: Minister This was stated by Odisha Law Minister Prithithiviraj Harichandan while reacting to frequent trespassing of individuals into the temple, taking hidden cameras in different ways. The latest such incident took place on Tuesday morning when the security personnel nabbed a man identified as Pratish Pal of Paschim Bardhaman district in West Bengal. He was detained and his mobile and glasses were seized. This came a day after Bipul Patel, a native of Gujarat, was caught while entering the temple with spy camera-equipped glasses. A week ago, a man from Puri town, identified as Abhijit Kar, was intercepted in a similar incident. The Puri man admitted that he had taken the spy camera-fitted spectacles to capture visuals of deities and interiors. In all three cases, the police had to release the alleged offenders due to lack of proper legislation to punish such people, a police officer said. The minister said, "There should be a proper law to curb such a situation. It is very difficult to identify the people carrying spy cameras inside the temple. The police could know about the spy camera only when there is a flashlight while taking pictures. Therefore, a law is most essential." Puri SP Pinak Mishra admitted that it was a real challenge for the police to locate the people taking spy camera inside the temple. He said such incidents are being dealt with strictly. The security personnel are told to keep a vigil on such cases, and discussions are held with the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration on bringing in a specific law to curb such activities. The SP said taking mobile phones, video cameras and capturing pictures of the interior of the temple is strictly prohibited. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
