Odisha to Test Ghee Quality at Jagannath Temple

In response to the ongoing controversy over alleged adulteration of ghee used for laddoos at the Tirupati temple, the Odisha government has decided to conduct quality tests on the ghee used at the Jagannath temple in Puri. Puri District Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain stated that although no complaints have been made about the ghee used at the temple, they aim to reassure devotees by ensuring only standardized ghee from the Odisha Milk Federation (OMFED) is used. This initiative follows allegations by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu that animal fat was included in the ghee used for the laddoos at Tirupati, prompting calls for a thorough investigation. The testing will include ghee used for both 'Kotha Bhoga' and 'Baradi Bhoga', as well as for lighting diyas, with discussions planned with OMFED and temple servitors. The temple kitchen serves approximately 25,000 devotees daily, preparing various offerings, and the authorities are keen to uphold the trust of worshippers. The decision reflects a broader effort to prevent any potential issues of quality and maintain the sanctity of the temple offerings.