Jagannath Temple, Puri

Abstract

The venerable Jagannath temple, Puri is an embodiment of religious gastronomy tourism interwoven with sustainability. At the heart of the study is the sanctified Mahaprashada, whose entire life cycle was mindfully scrutinized to reveal its eco-conscious preparation, service and distribution, resulting in minimal environmental food print. Additionally, it elucidates the economic reverberations of Mahaprashada within the local community and its profound role in 'safeguarding the cultural heritage, fortifying communal identity and continuing the spiritual lineage'. Finally, in response to dynamic challenges like increasing tourism and modernisation, the research proposes avant-garde strategies to improve the sustainability of gastronomy tourism at the temple. Hence by positioning the Jagannath temple as a global exemplar of sustainable gastronomy tourism, the research can act as a blueprint for other religious sites trying to amalgam ancient gastronomic traditions with sustainability.