Puri, Oct 24: The Abadha Anna offered to Lord Jagannath and His sibling deities at the Srimandir in Puri will be prepared using chemical-free organic rice beginning next year from the Rath Yatra, informed Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee here on Friday.

This initiative, welcomed by servitors and devotees alike, marks a significant step in promoting organic farming and food purity in temple offerings.

Five-Year Organic Farming Plan
Earlier, the Odisha government launched a five-year plan under the Balabhadra Jaibik Chasa Mission, allocating Rs113 crore to promote organic rice cultivation across eight districts. Currently, districts like Bargarh, Cuttack, and Koraput are actively engaged in organic farming, with support extended to farmers through financial incentives and transition assistance.

Temple Offerings Go Organic
Initially, the organic rice will be used exclusively for Kotha Bhoga—the sacred food offered to the deities at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. Once supply stabilizes, it will also be extended to Mahaprasad served to devotees in the 12-century temple. Plans are underway to set up a dedicated counter at Anand Bazaar for organic Mahaprasad distribution.

Also Read: Puri Srimandir’s 200-Year-Old School Set For Revival

Scaling Up Cultivation
To meet the temple’s daily requirement of 1–2 quintals of rice for Kotha Bhoga, and around 200–220 quintals for overall offerings, the State government estimates a need for over 15,000 hectares of organic farmland. Green manure crops like Dhanicha are being promoted to enhance soil fertility and boost production.

Symbol of Purity and Sustainability
Servitors believe this shift will send a strong message to society about the importance of chemical-free food. Madhab Mahapatra, a senior servitor, noted, “Organic Abadha is not just sacred—it’s a symbol of purity and health.” However, affordability and accessibility remain key to sustaining public interest.