Online ‘Annaprasad’ delivery sparks outrage among devotees in Odisha

In a move that has shocked devotees across Odisha, a leading online food delivery platform has come under fire for allegedly advertising the sale and home delivery of annaprasad from some of the region’s most revered temples.

The advertisement, which went viral on social media, claimed that not only ‘Abadha’ from the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, but also offerings from Maa Tarini, Baba Akhandalamani, and other temples, could be purchased online for as low as Rs 49. The offer is reportedly valid throughout the Kartik month, a period considered highly sacred by devotees.

The move has triggered widespread criticism, with many devotees calling it a ‘blow to faith’ and an ‘innovative yet disrespectful attempt to exploit devotees.’ Social media platforms have been flooded with posts expressing anger and disappointment, arguing that such advertisements undermine the spiritual and cultural sanctity of temple offerings.

Religious scholars and temple followers have also expressed strong disapproval, stating that sacred annaprasad is meant to be received as a blessing and not treated as a commodity for online sale. Devotees have described the practice as an affront to their faith and an insensitive commercialization of spiritual traditions.

“This is an insult. The delivery agents deliver non-vegetarian food items, and at the same time, they will deliver the prasad. The food delivery company must abstain from doing so. The temple administration should take necessary action,” said a servitor of Puri Srimandir.

As of now, the food delivery platform has not issued any official response to the controversy.

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Devotees and religious circles are calling for clarification and accountability, urging the company to respect the sanctity of temple rituals and the sentiments of believers.