Bhubaneswar: The price of sky-rocketing essential commodities has influenced preparation and sales of prasad cooked in a different city temple during the holy month of Kartik.
While Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has allowed worshipers to take cooked prasad packages from the temple of Lingaraj and Ananta Basudev, Sevayats at the temple that prepared the offer had fallen substantially.
Many smaller temples in the city used to sell cooked prasad during the pre-Covid period have stopped serving it because of pandemic restrictions and soaring the price of essential food.
This development has forced worshipers to make a compromise in observing rituals and festivals during Kartik.
“It was exercised to take Mahaprasad on the occasion and a profitable festival.
I am very sad that in the Ekadasi Moon of Scriptures today I can’t get Mahaprasad because it’s not available at the temple and we have to order at least 10 people,” said Tilottama Satpathy, “said Satpathy A septuagenarian who observes Kartik Brata.
During this month, the widow observed Radha Damodar Puja and ate only once a day.
On a special occasion, more than 10,000 people used to take students at Ananta Basudev and Lingaraj temples, while this month the number was reduced to less than 1,000.
“We have tried not to shift the load of price increases to customers but for how long can we bear losses? Previously we used to cook more than 1,000 meals on special days, but today I prepared food for only 200 people.
During Kartik, We do maximum business but for the past two years because Covid sales have dropped more than 80 percent.
There is no enthusiasm among people to celebrate the festival and prices soar have taken a festive sheen, “said Gunanidhi Mahasupar, a leading Prasad seller who has Chullah At the Basudev Anant Temple here.
During the pre-covid period, Mahaprasad for one person used to cost Rs 50, including rice, Dal, Besara, Mahura and Khata, but now someone needs to pay at least Rs 100 for a plate of Mahaprasad containing these items.
“We used many vegetables in our curry and all the food made in Ghee Murni.
But the price of all raw materials such as rice and dal have increased by Rs 20 per kg.
The price of vegetables has almost doubled or even three times than what they are A few months ago.
If we increase the price of Mahaprasad accordingly, there will be no takers, “said Narayan Panda, another priest at Ananta Basudev’s temple.
The Isccon Temple in Nayapalli which was once the main attraction for Prasad cooked in the city had not continued its services.