Puri: In a shocking revelation Friday causing massive resentment among the devotees, a racket allegedly involved in the preparation of duplicate Srimandir Mahaprasad (Abadha) was unearthed at Paika Sahi under Baselisahi police station in Puri.
This has come at a time when preparation for the world famous Rath Yatra of the divine Trinity is underway in the pilgrim city in full swing. As per sources, some unscrupulous people were preparing food to be sold as ‘Abadha’ inside a tent set up in the backyard of a building in Paika Sahi.
Hundreds of Koduas (earthen pots) loaded with cooked rice, dal, and other dishes resembling ‘Abadha’ were found at the spot. The matter came to light after some images and videos showing the location went viral and the locals informed about the same to the Srimandir servitors.
As per reports, those involved in this racket were defrauding devotees by claiming that they are providing ‘Abadha’ outside since the ‘Mahaprasad’ was not being prepared in Srimandir in view of the ‘Anasara Ghara’ of the sibling deities.
It has been alleged that some traders through this fraudulent activity are busy cheating the gullible devotees to earn easy money. The revelation has caused massive resentment among the devotees while the servitors have demanded stringent action against persons who are involved in the incident.
Hajuri Krushnachandra Khuntia said, “I am speechless. I do not know how to condemn this incident. It is a sin. Whoever has done this will definitely get punished by God. The Supakara Servitors cook the food with utmost devotion. Then Servitors conduct Shodasa Upachara Puja and only after that the food turns into Mahaprasad and is sold to the devotees.”
“Those, who are cooking food outside and selling them to unsuspecting devotees as Mahaprasad, have committed great sins. The SJTA should take stringent action against them,” he said. However, the cook, who was preparing the food, said the food was to be served to guests in the street on the twelfth day of a person’s death. SJTA chief administrator Ranjan Kumar Das said, “We will conduct an enquiry once we get a complaint in this regard.”
PNN