Puri, Jun 24: A serious allegation has surfaced at Puri Shree Mandir after modaks (herbal dough offerings), for the Dasamula ritual, were found missing from the temple.

A total of 313 amuniya modaks (herbal dough offerings) were reportedly provided by the royal physician (Rajvaidya) for application on Lord Jagannath's body as part of the Dasamula Modak ritual on Anabasara Ekadashi (21st of the month). However, upon verification, only 243 were found, with 70 modaks allegedly missing from the temple’s secure storage (garada).

The sacred Dasamula Modak offering is a significant part of the temple’s Anabasara tradition, where the deities are treated for divine ailments. The absence of the prescribed number of modaks has raised concerns about potential internal theft, as these items are typically stored under strict temple protocols.

Prominent servitor Haladhara Das Mahapatra, representing Lord Balabhadra's Badagrahi, has formally written to the Chief Administrator of the temple demanding an inquiry into the theft.

The letter questions how the ritual was completed despite the shortfall and calls for accountability in offering possibly unsuitable items to the deities. Copies of the complaint have also been forwarded to the Temple Commander, the Deputy Chief Administrator, and the District Collector.

The temple administration has yet to issue a formal response, but the issue has stirred debate about procedural integrity and security lapses in one of India’s most revered shrines.

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