Odisha Government Proposes Organic Rice Project for Lord Jagannath's Mahaprasad in Puri Temple

The Odisha government is planning a project to offer organic rice and vegetables for Lord Jagannath's 'Mahaprasad' in Puri's 12th-century temple. This initiative aims to eliminate chemicals from the offerings, an official stated. The proposal, named Amrut Anna, has received positive feedback from the temple's servitors.

A meeting was held at Krushi Bhavan, the agriculture department's headquarters, to discuss this project. Arabinda Padhee, the Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment secretary and chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), chaired the meeting. The temple falls under the jurisdiction of Odisha's law department.

Organic Rice Varieties for Mahaprasad

The state government is striving to make Mahaprasad chemical-free by using organic ingredients. The Suar-Mahasuar Nijog, responsible for preparing Mahaprasad, along with the temple administration, supports this decision. Currently, rice and vegetables are sourced from local markets.

Initially, organic rice varieties like 'Kalajeera', 'Pimpudibasa', and 'Jubaraja', grown in Odisha, will be used for Amruta Anna Mahaprasad. Notably, Kalajeera rice has already secured a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Organic Farming Benefits

Using organic methods like cow urine and dung as fertilisers can aid in protecting and increasing the cow population in Odisha. This approach aligns with sustainable agricultural practices while enhancing the quality of offerings at the temple.

Presently, ghee for the temple is supplied by OMFED (Odisha Milk Federation), with open market ghee being prohibited. This ensures quality control and adherence to traditional practices in preparing Mahaprasad.

The initiative reflects a broader commitment to sustainability and tradition in temple offerings. By integrating organic farming methods, it seeks to preserve cultural heritage while promoting environmental health.