Latest news with #JagannathTempleAct
Time of India
12-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
No plan to allow sale of Puri temple's Mahaprasad online: Min
1 2 Bhubaneswar: State govt on Monday said that it has no plans to initiate or endorse the online sale of Mahaprasad of Puri Jagannath Temple nor does it support any such initiative by digital food platforms. "Mahaprasad is of profound religious importance and must be handled with the highest respect. It is traditionally sold only on the temple premises, and its sanctity could be compromised if sold online," said law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan. His statement comes in response to opinions on social media following an online platform's attempt to sell Mahaprasad. The minister said that several private companies approached the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) seeking permission to sell both dry and cooked Mahaprasad from the 12th-century shrine online. "While online sale might make it easier for devotees worldwide to access Mahaprasad without travelling to Puri, the SJTA rejected these proposals, fearing it would desecrate the sacredness of the offerings. SJTA is concerned about potential violations of sanctity during the transportation of the Mahaprasad from the temple to other locations," Harichandan said. "Given these concerns, the govt has no intention of supporting the online sale of Mahaprasad. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This year's most comfortable shoes are a hit with the over-40 crowd Ultra-Comfortable Shoes Undo We urge devotees to visit Puri, receive the blessings of the deities, and partake in Mahaprasad in the temple," the minister added. When questioned about potential actions against those selling Mahaprasad online, an SJTA official said, "Currently, there is no legislation prohibiting the online sale of Mahaprasad. Any legal action would require amendments to the Jagannath Temple Act, 1955." In May, the temple administration urged devotees to show the utmost respect for Mahaprasad and avoid consuming it at dining tables. The appeal followed reports and social media posts depicting people eating Mahaprasad in a Puri hotel while seated at tables and wearing shoes — an act the SJTA deemed contrary to the shrine's traditions. Emphasising the sacred nature of Lord Jagannath's Mahaprasad, regarded as 'Anna Brahma' (soul of rice), the SJTA reiterated that, according to tradition, devotees should consume the cooked offerings while seated on the floor, with gratitude. Puri MP and BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra in Dec last year proposed to the railway ministry that dry prasad (sukhila bhoga) from the Jagannath Temple be made available at major railway stations across Odisha. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Time of India
SJTA lodges police complaint against servitors using phones on chariots
Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Tuesday lodged a police complaint against some unnamed servitors for using mobile phones on chariots during the annual Rath Yatra on June 27. "Despite ban on taking mobile phones on the chariots, it was observed from some social media and other media platforms that some servitors used their phones on the chariots. It not only disrupted the sanctity of the rituals, but also raised security concerns. Take legal action against the persons violating the norms in maintaining the sanctity and safety of this sacred event," read the SJTA's complaint lodged with Singhadwar police station. SJTA has produced evidence involving photos, videos and social media links to substantiate their claim. Police said they would register a case. "We will book the servitors under relevant sections of BNS and the Jagannath Temple Act, 1954. We will take the help of the SJTA to identify the servitors," Puri SP Pinak Mishra said. SJTA imposed the ban on mobile phone usage because many servitors had in the previous years boarded the chariots solely to pose for photos, shoot reels and take selfies near the idols. Additionally, the use of mobile phones often diverted the devotion and attention of servitors from their core duties on the chariots. In the run-up to Rath Yatra, law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan and SJTA's chief administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee issued stern warnings to servitors against the use of mobile phones on chariots.
