The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Sunday decided to ban use of any space other than the Ananda Bazar for the purpose of sale of Mahaprasad. Puri district Collector Arvind Agarwal informed this after a meeting of the SJTA. All unauthorised sellers would also be banned from dealing in Mahaprasad in the shrine.
Besides, distribution and sale of ‘Tanka Torani’, usually prepared in unhygienic conditions from stale Mahaprasad, would also be strictly prohibited. Notably, in this Twelfth-century temple, the Ananda Bazar has been earmarked for sale of Mahaprasad which visiting devotees partake after paying obeisance to the deities. However, due to the increasing demand and scarcity of enough space at the Ananda Bazar, Mahaprasad sellers have occupied areas in the inner courtyard causing difficulties for movement of devotees.
Mahasuaras, the servitors who are authorised to deal in Mahaprasad, also welcomed the decision of the SJTA which has been taken to carry out the order of the Odisha High Court. The High Court, while adjudicating a PIl on the issue, had recently ordered the SJTA to maintain hygiene during Mahaprasad sale inside the temple. The Ananda Bazar would be spruced up and modern sale counters would be provided to all authorised sellers soon, said sources in the SJTA.
The Mahaprasad is treated here as ‘Anna Brahma’. Sources said the temple kitchen has the capacity to cook for a lakh of devotees on a day. The Mahaprasad is steam-cooked only in earthen pots with heat from burning of fire wood. It is offered to lord Jagannath first and then to Goddess Vimala after which it becomes Mahaprasad. The much-needed step is also expected to help ease congestion in the inner courtyard during the ensuing Nabakalebar festival, which is expected to draw more than two millions of devotes.