INDIA, August 11, 2024 (The Federal): The over 150,000 archakas (temple priests) in Karnataka, who come under the state department of Religious and Charitable Endowments, have sent a memorandum to the Siddaramaiah government. They want the practice of allowing devotees to book prasadam (religious offering to the Gods) online through temple apps discontinued. The Karnataka government has promised to address the issue but the priests, well on the warpath, have declined to take any more online orders for now. On July 25, the Akhila Karnataka Hindu Devalaya Archaka-Agamika and Upadhivantha Okkuta (Federation of All Karnataka Temple Priests) submitted a memorandum to the Endowment Commissioner, detailing the challenges they face catering to online orders for prasadams.

Speaking to The Federal, the Okkuta’s Chief Principal Secretary, KSN Dixit, said: “The devotees are ordering prasadam online just like they order food from a restaurant. They make an order the previous night and expect it to be delivered by the morning. How can the archakas deliver 2.2 lbs of puliyogare (tamarind rice) and 2.2 lbs of pongal (sweet lentils) overnight?” Moreover, this online service lowers the dignity and sanctity of the prasadam and the sacredness of temples, he said. “We are already facing so many problems and now we have to deal with the tedious issue of devotees ordering prasadam online,” he added.

More at source.
https://thefederal.com/category/states/south/karnataka/not-swiggy-karnataka-temple-priests-on-warpath-against-app-orders-for-prasadam-138386

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