WATCH: Viral Video Of Priest Serving Mahaprasad At Beach Resort Table Triggers Backlash; Temple Authorities Issue Advisory

Puri, Odisha: A viral video showing a priest serving Mahaprasad (the sacred offering of Lord Jagannath) to a family seated at a dining table in a beach resort has triggered widespread outrage among devotees and temple authorities in Odisha. The incident, which appears to deviate from long-standing customs of consuming the holy food while seated on the ground, has prompted a formal response from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).

The video shows at least 10 people, including children, seated at a dining table as a priest serves them Mahaprasad. When confronted by a bystander in the video, a woman claimed they had checked before proceeding, while the priest was asked why he allowed such a breach of tradition.

Have a look at the video here:

ଭିଡ଼ିଓ ରେ ଦେଖନ୍ତୁ ସେ ହୋଟେଲର କର୍ମଚାରୀ ମନା କରିବା ସତ୍ତ୍ବେ ସେମାନେ କିପରି ଡାଇନିଂ ଟେବୁଲ ଉପେର ମହାପ୍ରସାଦ ବାଢ଼ି ଗୋଡ଼ ହଲେଇ ମୋବାଇଲ ଚଲାଇ ପାଉଛନ୍ତି..ଆଉ ତହୁଁ ବଡ଼ ସେ ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣ ମହାଶୟ ଯିଏ ମହାପ୍ରସାଦ ତାଙ୍କୁ ବାଢ଼ିକି ଦେଇଛନ୍ତି।ଆଉ ସେ ଦାଢ଼ିଆ ବାବା ସବୁ ଦେଖି ମଧ୍ଯ ଚୁପ ହୋଇ ଠିଆ ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି।ଦୋଷ କାହାକୁ ଦେବେ? pic.twitter.com/ktH4KLpTkd

— 🦋šrαdhα🦋 (@princess_sradha) May 16, 2025

The Mahaprasad is not just food, it is considered divine, worshipped in the form of Annabrahma and steeped in centuries-old tradition. As per the customs of the Jagannath Temple, it must be consumed while sitting on the ground, reflecting humility and devotion.

In response to the controversy, the SJTA stated that the video had “evoked strong reactions” from devotees. In its official clarification, the temple administration said, “The divine Mahaprasad of the Lord is worshipped in the form of Annabrahma. The ritual tradition of eating Mahaprasad sitting on the ground has existed since time immemorial.”

pic.twitter.com/dMFOD1f8CS

— Shree Jagannatha Temple Office, Puri (@SJTA_Puri) May 17, 2025

Acknowledging the religious sensitivities involved, the SJTA has issued an advisory to hotels and resorts in Puri to discourage guests from consuming Mahaprasad in ways that violate temple traditions. They urged all devotees to “refrain from activities against the tradition,” emphasising respect for the sanctity of the offering.

The video has since drawn criticism on social media, with many calling for greater awareness and enforcement of spiritual customs tied to India’s sacred spaces.