An incident involving the alleged entry of unauthorised ghee into theShree Jagannath Templecame to light on Monday after the Srimandir administration intercepted and seized a quantity of ghee reportedly sourced from outside, in violation of the mandated OMFED-only supply rule.
According to sources, the ghee was allegedly being carried by a devotee and handed over to a Suar Sevak inside the temple premises when officials intervened during an internal inspection. The devotee has been identified as Rabindra Barik of Bira Harekrushnapur in Puri district, while the Suar Sevak involved has been identified as Jambeswar Suar.
Temple regulations strictly prohibit the entry and use of any ghee other than that supplied byOMFEDfor the preparation of Mahaprasad and for lighting diyas inside the temple. Acting on the directions of the Chief Administrator, the Srimandir administration issued notices to both individuals, directing them to submit written explanations within seven days.
Officials said a detailed inquiry has been initiated to ascertain how the ghee entered the temple premises and whether it was self-prepared or procured from an external source. The incident has renewed focus on strict enforcement of the OMFED-only policy, which was introduced earlier following concerns over the quality and sourcing of ghee used in temple rituals.
Commenting on the matter, Jagannath Puja Panda Samanta said the issue also touches upon the faith and beliefs of devotees. He noted that some devotees make vows to offer ghee prepared from the milk of cows donated in the name of Lord Jagannath. However, he added that the temple administration must verify the quality and purity of any such offerings to ensure they comply with established rules before being used in Mahaprasad preparation.
The Srimandir administration reiterated its commitment to maintaining ritual sanctity, quality control, and strict adherence to temple norms.
