Worm-infested substandard rice for Lord Jagannath in Odisha’s Puri

Puri: In a shocking incident, packets of worm-infested substandard rice were caught at Lord Jagannath temple here creating outrage among devotees.

Following the allegation Puri collector Arvind Agarwal has assured for a probe into the matter.

According to reports, packets of substandard rice with worms were caught while being carried on a trolley to the shrine on Tuesday.

Allegations were made that the holy Mahaprasad is being prepared from the low quality rice.

The incident deeply hurt devotion and sentiments of lakhs of devotees, who throng the century old temple to have the holy Mahaprasad along with having darshan of deities on Ratna Bedi.

On the other hand, the Suara and Mahasuara Nijog of servitors’ body defended themselves while condemning the incident.

The Mahaprasad is not being prepared from such substandard rice, said the Suara and Mahasuara Nijog member Ananta Tiadi.

The quality of the rice, which is supplied by the Nijog, is always being checked before preparation of Mahaprasad. The Abadha, which is prepared on order given by the devotees, that rice might be of low standard. As the rice with worms was in the packets, it could not come into our notice, he said.

Nobody wants Mahaprasad to be prepared from such substandard rice. All the items meant for Mahaprasad are always being checked. Even the rice is not cooked in the temple kitchen if found low quality, he added.

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