Soon, Puri Mahaprasad to be sold at Ananda Bazar only by authorised persons!

Puri: The sacred Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath will be sold by a particular servitor’s body inside Srimandir in Puri.

A letter in this regard by Suar Mahasuar Nijog has been sent to Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) recommending legal action against non-supakars if they are found to sell Mahaprasad in the temple.

After a two-day meeting attended by Suar Mahasuar Nijog members yesterday and today on sale of Mahaprasad, a 12-member committee has been formed to identify the non-supakars following which strong action can be taken against those responsible to sell Mahaprasad outside Srimandir.

According to Suar Mahasuar body of Puri Srimandir, only Supakars are allowed to sell Mahaprasad at Ananda Bazar.

As per Record of Rights of Puri Srimandir, only Suar Mahasuar servitors are allowed to sell Mahaprasad at Ananda Bazar of the temple. However, involvement of outsiders and non-supakars causes indiscipline on smooth sale of Mahaprasad inside the temple. The brokers are exploiting the devotees by purchasing Mahaprasad from Suar Mahasuar servitors inside temple. We had convened a meeting over the matter and decided that only Suar Mahasuar servitors will be authorised to sell Mahaprasad at Ananda Bazar, said Padmanabh Mahasuar, President of Suar Mahasuar Nijog, Puri Srimandir.

Strong action will be taken if any non-servitor will be found selling Mahaprasad on premises of the Jagannath Temple, he added.

When asked to Secretary of Suar Mahasuar Nijog Narayan Mahasuar about the decision taken at the meeting, he said, “There has been clearly mentioned in Puri Srimandir Record of Rights that only Supakar can sell Mahaprasad. In this regard we have handed over a letter to the Chief Administrator of SJTA, Puri SP, Srimandir Supervisor, Srimandir’s Security Officer to maintain discipline in sale of Mahaprasad at Ananda Bazar.”

On alleged sale of Mahaprasad by outsiders, he said, “As the Uttardwar (north gate) of Srimandir has been closed for devotees for entry into the temple, the brokers are taking advantage of devotees’ demand. The devotees, who are visiting the temple for only Mahaprasad, are approaching the brokers instead of standing in long queue for hours to enter into Srimandir through Singhadwar. The brokers are selling the Mahaprasad to devotees after buying it from Suar Mahasuar servitors.”

“Besides, the non-supakar servitors also used to purchase Mahaprasad from Suar Mahasuar servitors at Ananda Bazar and sell it to devotees outside temple. Earlier, we had brought the matter into notice of the SJTA. However, due to negligence of the authorities, indiscipline activities on sale of Mahaprasad at Ananda Bazar are being reported in media every day,” he added.