A senior servant of Srimandir has provided an explanation after numerous people in Odisha voiced their displeasure over the discovery that the “arua” grains and betel nuts that the district administration had gathered through Arpan Rath were lying idle in various locations.
The rice and betel nuts gathered through Arpan Rath would be used in Lord Jagannath’s service at Puri Srimandir, according to Suara Mahasuara Secretary Nijoga Narayan Mahasuara.
The Nijoga Gruha in Koili Baikuntha will house the grains and betel nuts that were gathered from Arpan Rath. The rice will be used to make pitha (cake), Khechudi, and mahaprasad. The harvested rice will be used to make Mahaprasad if it is suitable. If it’s a mixed variety, it will be used to make Khechudi and cakes. In addition, the rice will be used to make muruja and jhothi chita, according to Narayan Mahasuara.
Additionally, the rice will be gathered and used every day in Srimandir’s “Alati.” The Holy Trinity’s “Bidia pana” will be made with the betel nuts. We’ll take the required actions to show concern for the feelings that devotees have for the Lord,” he continued.
Notably, it has been claimed that the Odisha government has expended millions of rupees erecting Arpan Raths in villages to solicit rice and betel from devotees and to promote the Srimandir Parikrama project.
But it was said that the betel and rice that had been gathered were sitting about in panchayat offices or village temples, unused. The collected rice and betel would be sent to Srimandir, devotees and the general public were informed.
