Odisha: 43 earthen stoves in Puri temple vandalised, joint probe ordered

The Puri temple kitchen, which is one of the biggest in the country, has a total of 240 earthen stoves of which 43 were found broken. The stoves are used to prepare ‘mahaprasad’, which is offered to the deities of the temple and devotees.

While the exact reason and people behind it are unknown, a joint probe by the police and temple administration has been initiated.

“The matter will be thoroughly probed and whoever is found responsible will face disciplinary action,” temple administrator (development) Ajay Jena, said.

“Preliminary investigations suggest that the incident happened after 11 pm on Saturday night. After that time, the kitchen is locked up. We are also examining the CCTV footage,” a police official said.

Puri Collector Samarth Varma said: “A joint inquiry has been initiated by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Administrator (Niti) and additional SP (temple security). No rituals were affected today.”

The food cooked at the ‘Roshaghara’ can serve 1 lakh devotees. Around 100 servitors of the temple are engaged in cooking. The food is first offered to Lor Jagannath and then to Goddess Bimala. It is then called the ‘mahaprasada’ and served to the devotees.