Puri: The Orissa State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (Omfed) will soon open a ghee outlet at Jagannath temple here to supply clarified butter to shopkeepers selling earthen lamps at the temple.
The state government owned dairy decided to open an exclusive counter for Srimandir after the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) instructed shopkeepers against using adulterated and substandard ghee in earthen lamps. The shrine administration has directed the shopkeepers to use pure ghee for lamps beginning September 1.
Devotees visiting the 12th century shrine usually light earthen lamps before the presiding deities. However, use of adulterated and low quality ghee in lamps has aggravated pollution near the sanctum sanctorum.
Chhatisha Niyog, the apex body of temple servitors, had expressed concern over use of low quality ghee in lamps and urged the SJTA to look into the issue. Subsequently, the shrine administration had directed lamp vendors to procure pure ghee from Omfed, sources said.
SJTA sources said Omfed had agreed to supply ghee at subsidised price to lamp vendors. “The government owned dairy firm will supply ghee to lamp vendors at subsidised rate. Omfed officials maintain a register at the Srimandir outlet to monitor daily sales,” said a SJTA official.
In a related development, the temple administration has banned use of ghee wicks in lamps at the sanctum sanctorum.
“Servitors and devotees have been advised to offer sesame seed oil wicks at the sanctum sanctorum from September 1,” added the official.
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