Odisha Govt Plans Free ‘Mahaprasad’ Distribution at Shree Jagannath Temple

Puri/Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at enriching the pilgrimage experience at Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Odisha government is considering distributing ‘Mahaprasad’ for free to all visiting devotees. Law Minister Prithiraj Harichandan announced on Saturday that discussions are underway to arrange the distribution of ‘Abhada’ (Mahaprasad) to around 1-1.5 lakh devotees daily.

“We are in the process of securing support from potential donors to ensure this initiative is successful,” Harichandan said. Though the exact launch date of the service has not been confirmed, the Minister assured that measures would be taken to ensure its continuity without any interruptions.

The government is also planning to set up an interpretation center, or Bhyakhyana Kendra, in Puri, which will provide detailed information on the temple’s rituals and the cultural significance of Jagannath. “We are currently drafting a blueprint for the center and are in the midst of discussions,” Harichandan noted during the Ratha Seva Sammana-2024 event in Puri.

To manage the anticipated large crowds, the Minister highlighted that artificial intelligence (AI) will be employed to regulate the flow of devotees entering the temple.

The proposal has been well-received by Suara Mahasuara Nijog president Padmanabha Mahasuara, who welcomed the initiative. He recalled a similar effort in 2017 that was discontinued and stressed the importance of proper funding to sustain the project. “Providing free prasad is a cherished practice in many South Indian temples, and devotees here would be delighted to receive Mahaprasad after a smooth darshan of the sibling deities,” Mahasuara remarked.