Puri: Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Dev, the revered titular King of Puri and the chief servitor of Lord Jagannath, has voiced deep concern and “irk” over the ongoing practice at the newly inaugurated Jagannath temple in Digha, West Bengal, of labeling local sweets like “Gaja” and “Ladu” as “Mahaprasad” and distributing them to devotees. This comes amidst an already simmering controversy over the Digha temple being referred to as “Jagannath Dham,” a title historically and spiritually reserved for Puri.
The Gajapati Maharaja’s statement underscores the profound sanctity and specific ritualistic procedures that define “Mahaprasad” exclusively within the Puri Jagannath Temple. According to time-honored traditions and scriptural injunctions, Mahaprasad is the sanctified food offered directly to Lord Jagannath and subsequently to Goddess Bimala within the precincts of the Puri Srimandir. Its preparation follows strict dietary and spiritual norms, utilizing earthen pots and consecrated water, a process overseen by a specific lineage of servitors.
“The terms ‘Jagannath Dham,’ ‘Nilachal Dham,’ and ‘Srimandir’ are unique to Puri, as is the sacred ‘Mahaprasad’,” stated a representative for the Gajapati Maharaja. “These are not mere names but denote a spiritual lineage and a deeply rooted tradition that cannot be replicated or appropriated by other temples, however well-intentioned they may be.”
Further exacerbating the controversy, reports from West Bengal indicate that the “prasad” being distributed at the Digha temple, including the aforementioned Gaja and Ladu, is being sourced from commercial sweet shops, some of which are reportedly owned by non-Hindus. This practice directly contradicts the stringent purity and ritualistic guidelines governing the preparation of offerings in traditional Jagannath worship. The Puri temple maintains an exclusive system of “Suara” servitors who are solely responsible for the preparation of Mahaprasad within the temple’s revered kitchen.
Devotees and religious scholars in Odisha have expressed their hurt sentiments, viewing these developments as a significant dilution and misrepresentation of the unique Jagannath culture. The Puri Gajapati Maharaja has appealed to the Digha temple authorities to desist from using terms like “Mahaprasad” and “Jagannath Dham” to avoid misleading devotees and to uphold the authenticity of the ancient traditions.
The Odisha government has reportedly communicated its concerns to the West Bengal government regarding the issue, emphasizing the need to respect the distinct spiritual identity of the Puri Jagannath Temple. The ongoing dispute highlights the deep reverence and protective sentiment surrounding the sacred heritage of Lord Jagannath in Puri.