Puri Temple Should be Prosecuted for Seeking Musk (an endangered species); Poachers to probably replace Nepal's King as supplier

The Times of India

Fall of king makes Puri temple struggle for musk

16 Jun 2009, 0326 hrs IST, Sandeep Mishra, TNN

BHUBANESWAR: The fall of the monarchy in Nepal has hit the Jagannath temple hard. Traditionally, the Nepal royal family, which enjoys special
rights in the Puri temple, has been the sole supplier of musk to the world famous shrine for its rituals. With the end of the kingdom, the temple authorities are not sure how they will ensure the unhindered supply of musk (obtained from musk deer, an endangered animal).

The musk deer is hunted down by poachers for business though there are normal ways to extract it. The poaching has led to the decline in the number of musk deer, an inhabitant of the high altitude Himalayan region of Nepal.

The decline in importance of the royal family in Nepal has led to the government ignoring the frequent pleas of the temple authorities to continue the supply. Musk, temple insiders say, is used for rituals like `mukha singar' (facial) of the temple's presiding deities during the annual rath yatra.

Temple sources said about 5 grams of musk is mixed with herbs to make a paste before it is applied on the face and body of the deities. With the rath yatra, slated for June 24, approaching fast, a shortage of musk has created an uncertainty.

``We have written several letters to the consul general of Nepal in Kolkata to supply musk, but we have not got any response,'' said a temple official. ``The stock is depleted and we are worried because it is not available in India.''