No Modak Theft at Jagannath Temple: Odisha Law Minister Sets the Record Straight

Odisha's Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan has dismissed allegations of modak theft from the Jagannath temple in Puri. The claims arose after a servitor reported missing modaks, but an inquiry confirmed their safety. The modak, offered during rituals, is believed to aid the deities' health. This incident has sparked controversy, but officials maintain that no theft occurred. Read on to learn more about the temple's traditions and the recent developments surrounding this issue.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 24, 2025, 23:06 IST

Clarification on Modak Theft Allegations

Bhubaneswar: On Tuesday, Odisha's Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan addressed the claims regarding the alleged theft of 'modak' from the Jagannath temple in Puri, stating that no such incident occurred as suggested by some servitors.

The 'modak', a unique type of ladoo, is traditionally offered to the temple deities during rituals leading up to the Rath Yatra festival.

According to the minister, the chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Arabinda Padhee, confirmed that there was no theft of modak.

In light of the controversy, Padhee initiated an investigation by SJTA officials, which corroborated that the modak was intact.

During the Lord's 'Anasar' period, a group of 'Vaidya sevak' (ayurvedic practitioners) provides modak to the temple, as it is believed to aid in the deities' recovery from illness.

The issue arose when Haladhar Das Mohapatra, the 'Badagrahi' (bodyguard) of Lord Balabhadra, reported that 70 out of 313 modaks, which were securely stored, were unaccounted for. He claimed that the theft compromised the sanctity of the modak and filed a formal complaint with the SJTA.

In response to the allegations, Padhee reiterated that there was no evidence of theft.