Puri: An FIR was filed with Singhadwar police here, Tuesday, in connection with alleged disrespect to Mahaprasad by some devotees at a temporary counter near Srimandir, Monday.
Shreejagannath Bhakta Parishad, a local outfit, lodged the FIR and sought legal action against the devotees concerned and the government employees who have been assigned the task of managing the temporary counters for Mahaprasad sale.
As per the complaint, Srimandir, the abode of Lord Jagannath, has been shut for devotees since March this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, rituals of the 12th century shrine are being performed by the servitors without any interruption.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and the Puri district administration have made special arrangement for sale of Mahaprasad in the ongoing holy month of Kartika. Two temporary counters have been opened at the North and South gates of the shrine for Mahaprasad sale.
The authorities concerned have put up some chairs for the devotees at the temporary counters. However, the devotees have been prohibited to partake the temple delicacies at the makeshift counters, said the complaint.
“Some devotees were seen partaking Mahaprasad while sitting on the chairs at the makeshift counter near the North gate of Srimandir Monday in violation of Srimandir tradition. The devotees even did not remove their shoes before partaking Srimandir delicacies. This is nothing but disrespect to Lord Jagannath’s Mahaprasad,” added the complaint.
As per tradition, devotees can partake Mahaprasad from Banana plant leaves by sitting on the ground, said a servitor.