Puri: In a significant move highlighting Odisha’s rich agricultural heritage, the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, has announced that “Amruta Anna” (Divine Rice) prepared from indigenous Koraput rice will be offered as “Kotha Bhog” in the Adapa Mandap. This decision underscores a commitment to promoting local organic produce and traditional practices during the auspicious Rath Jatra festivities.
The Kotha Bhog, a special offering made to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra during their stay at the Shree Gundicha Temple (Adapa Mandap), will now feature the distinct aroma and nutritional value of Koraput’s famed organic rice varieties. This move is particularly noteworthy as Koraput is renowned for its diverse range of uncultivated, rain-fed, and organic rice, often considered a treasure trove of indigenous paddy.
Dr. Padhee stated, “We are committed to preserving and promoting Odisha’s unique cultural and agricultural identity. The inclusion of Koraput rice in the Adapa Mandap Kotha Bhog is a step towards recognizing the invaluable contribution of our farmers and the superior quality of our local produce. It also aligns with the broader vision of sustainable practices and supporting our regional economies.”
Sources indicate that the specific variety of Koraput rice chosen for the Amruta Anna will be carefully selected to ensure its purity and adherence to traditional temple guidelines. This initiative not only brings a taste of Koraput’s agrarian legacy to the divine culinary offerings of Puri but also serves as a powerful endorsement for the region’s agricultural practices.
Pragati Koraput will supply organic rice for “Kotha Bhog” at the Shree Gundicha Temple. This is part of a special project called ‘Amruta Anna’ initiated by the SJTA to ensure that the Mahaprasad offered to the deities is made with organic ingredients, free from chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Initially, varieties like Govind Bhog and Jhilli rice from Koraput and other parts of Odisha have been recommended for Kotha Bhog.
Devotees and agricultural enthusiasts alike have lauded the SJTA’s decision, viewing it as a commendable effort to connect the spiritual heart of Odisha with its agricultural roots, especially highlighting the unique heritage of Koraput’s rice cultivation. The fragrant Koraput rice, now gracing the divine platter, is set to add another layer of spiritual and cultural significance to the ongoing Rath Jatra celebrations.