Efforts to bring order to the Shree Jagannath Temple continue with regular meetings of the Management Committee, where several important decisions are being made. However, devotees’ interests seem to be overlooked.
In the recent meeting held last Friday, no decision was taken on displaying a price list for Mahaprasad at Ananda Bazar, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among the devotees visiting the temple.
At Ananda Bazar, Mahaprasad is often sold at prices higher than the actual value, and the temple administration has failed to control this, further fueling discontent. Devotees are demanding the immediate installation of a price list to prevent overcharging.
It was announced by the temple administration that Ananda Bazar would be streamlined, with a Mahaprasad price list displayed after the Kartik month, ensuring devotees are not cheated and can purchase at fair prices. However, even though Kartik month has ended, the price list has yet to be put up.
Mahaprasad items like kudua (earthen pots) come in various sizes with different prices, but devotees are unaware of the rates due to the lack of information. This often results in them paying more than the actual price. Sometimes, a thali of Mahaprasad is sold for Rs 100, while at other times it goes up to Rs 150-200. During festivals, prices are inflated even more. When devotees object, they face misbehaviour. Many non-sevayats act as brokers in Ananda Bazar, selling Mahaprasad at exorbitant rates.
To protect devotees from such exploitation, the temple administration had decided to display a price chart. Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan had also directed the administration to implement this promptly. Yet, it remains unimplemented to date. The government has a scheme to distribute a small amount of Mahaprasad free to poor devotees, which the Law Minister has mentioned multiple times in the media, but this too has not been executed, leading to resentment among Jagannath devotees.
Puri resident and Jagannath devotee Manoj Rath expressed his views: “We’ve been hearing for a long time about displaying the Mahaprasad price list at Anand Bazar. Sadly, it hasn’t been implemented yet. Many meetings are held, but no decision is made on this. It seems the temple administration isn’t prioritising it. Every Jagannath devotee looks forward to having Mahaprasad with great hope, but often it’s sold at inflated prices. Many poor people can’t afford it due to the high costs. The administration should prioritise devotees’ interests and install the price list soon. All major temples have price lists for prasad—why not at Srimandir? I believe this is due to a lack of political will and governmental resolve. Rising above this, for the convenience of devotees, the price list should be displayed at Ananda Bazar.”
Sriandir Suar Mahasuar Niyog Secretary Narayan Mahasuar shared his response: “We had informed the temple administration to provide the Mahaprasad price list after Kartik month. However, with the increase in prices of various ingredients, the rates for kudua will also rise. Once the new rates for kudua arrive, the Srimandir Suar Mahasuar Niyog Management Committee meeting is scheduled for the 29th. In that meeting, prices will be finalised and provided to the temple administration. Currently, Mahaprasad thalis are being sold for Rs 100-150; no higher prices are charged. However, once the price list is displayed at Ananda Bazar, the overcharging by some non-sevayats during festivals will stop. People will know the actual prices. We will set rates for each different type of kudua and display them on the list. We hope the temple administration will implement this soon.”
