Odisha Government Plans to Incorporate Organic Rice in Mahaprasad at Puri's Jagannath Temple
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Synopsis
The Odisha government is set to implement the use of organic rice in the Mahaprasad at the Jagannath Temple in Puri. This initiative aims to enhance the offerings with chemical-free ingredients, receiving support from temple authorities and servitors.
Key Takeaways
- Odisha government considering organic rice for Mahaprasad.
- Meeting held with stakeholders to discuss implementation.
- Initial phase will use Kalajeera and other organic rice varieties.
- Project 'Amruta Anna' aims to provide organic offerings.
- Steering committee to oversee the process of organic farming.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 12 (NationPress) The government of Odisha is considering the use of organic rice for preparing Mahaprasad, the sacred food offerings made to the divine triad at the renowned Lord Jagannath Temple located in Puri.
On Wednesday, a consultation meeting organized by the Odisha Agriculture department took place to deliberate on incorporating organic rice into the Mahaprasad at the Krushi Bhavan Conference Hall.
This meeting was presided over by Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration and the Principal Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Department.
During the discussions, stakeholders focused on the utilization of chemical-free rice for preparing the sacred offerings within Shree Mandira. The state government has initiated steps to ensure that Mahaprasad is free from chemicals.
The choice to incorporate organic rice and vegetables in the Mahaprasad of the 12th-century shrine has received positive feedback from the Suar-Mahasuar (the temple kitchen's servitors) and the Jagannath Temple administration.
"Initially, this organic rice will be used in the Kotha Bhoga of Shree Mandira (the Puri Jagannath Temple). Additionally, there is a proposal to utilize organic rice and vegetables during the Shri Gundicha Rath Yatra (car festival). A special initiative named ‘Amruta Anna’ will be launched, allowing devotees to access Mahaprasad made from organic rice at Anand Bazaar.
"To facilitate this, a dedicated counter is proposed to be set up at Anand Bazaar,” stated the Odisha Agriculture department in a press release on Wednesday.
The department further disclosed that, initially, organic rice varieties such as Kalajeera, Pimpudibasa, and Jubaraja cultivated in the state would be utilized for the ‘Amruta Anna’ Mahaprasad.
Among these, Kalajeera rice has already been granted the GI tag (Geographical Index). Presently, Odisha surpasses the national average in rice productivity.
This year, Kalajeera rice was grown across 1,365 acres in Koraput, and a Kalajeera rice mandi has recently been inaugurated in Kotpad.
Proposals for organic certification, subsidies, and other initiatives aim to boost organic farming. Additionally, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) will be promoted to cultivate organic rice using a cluster approach, and a steering committee will be established to ensure smooth implementation of the entire process.
This committee will include representatives from the Jagannath Temple administration, Suar-Mahasuara, other producer groups, NGOs, and departmental officials.
“During the initial phase, the objective is to cultivate organic rice on 100 to 200 acres. Seeds will be preserved, and further production of organic paddy will be encouraged. The organic grains will be utilized in the 'Amruta Anna' Mahaprasad. Employing organic methods, including cow urine, cow dung, seed amrut, and other organic fertilizers, can also aid in sustaining and enhancing the cow population in the state,” the department concluded.
