The Odisha government is planning to offer free Mahaprasad to devotees.
Arpit Pattnaik
The government of Odisha is considering providing the Mahaprasad of Puri Jagannath Temple for free to devotees. The Law Minister, Prithiviraj Harichandan, announced this plan and mentioned that the necessary arrangements are being made to ensure this initiative can be sustained. Harichandan emphasized the spiritual significance of Mahaprasad, stating that devotees find solace in partaking in the sacred food offered at Puri. On regular days, around 50,000 devotees visit the shrine, while this number significantly increases to 1.5 lakh or even 2 lakh on festive occasions. It's worth noting that the Mahaprasad offered to the deities as part of the daily rituals is not meant for sale. However, Mahaprasad prepared by the Suars and Mahasuars (a group of servitors) is sold at Anand Bazar inside the shrine. The price of this Mahaprasad sold to devotees varies based on demand and supply. The announcement raises questions about how the provision of Mahaprasad for free to devotees will be managed and funded.
