Odisha Govt to Conduct Quality Check on Ghee Used in Shree Jagannath Temple Amid Controversy

Puri: In view of recent controversy over the alleged use of animal fat in the famous Tirupati laddoos in Andhra Pradesh, the Odisha Government has announced plans to conduct a quality check on the ghee used at the revered Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. Although there have been no accusations regarding the purity of the ghee used in the temple’s offerings, authorities are taking a precautionary approach to ensure the highest standards.

Puri Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain confirmed the decision, stating that the move is aimed at addressing any potential concerns about the quality and purity of the ghee used in the temple’s sacred offerings, including the ‘Kotha Bhoga’ (ritual prasad) and ‘Baradi Bhoga’ (special order offerings).

“The ghee used in the temple is supplied by Omfed (Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation), and we will evaluate its quality thoroughly. Discussions will also be held with Omfed and the Suara and Mahasuara Nijog (temple cooking communities) to ensure a standardized quality,” Swain said, adding that the checks are part of a broader effort to maintain trust and transparency.

This isn’t the first time the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has taken steps to ensure ghee purity. In 2017, the administration directed Omfed to provide pure ghee for lighting the ‘diyas’ (lamps) within the temple, a measure aimed at preventing potential damage to temple stones from the smoke emitted by impure ghee.