A doormat bearing the image of Lord Jagannath, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism, sparked widespread outrage after it appeared for sale on the Chinese-owned e-commerce platform AliExpress. The listing, which displayed the deity’s face printed on a floor mat intended for wiping feet, was condemned by religious leaders, political figures, and devotees, particularly in Odisha, where the deity holds immense cultural and spiritual significance.
Images of the product circulated rapidly on social media, showing Lord Jagannath’s face printed on a mat, accompanied by a promotional image of a foot stepping on it. The product was described as a “Non-slip soft water uptake carpet” and listed at approximately Rs 787.
Madhab Pujapanda, a former member of the Shree Jagannath Temple Management Committee, denounced the item as deeply offensive and demanded swift action from the authorities. Speaking to Sambad, he stated: “This is not just an isolated case. There is a growing pattern where sacred Jagannath-related terminology like Mahaprasad and Patitapaban Bana are being misused for profit. Though steps have been initiated to legally protect these religious symbols and terms, the process needs to be accelerated.”
Pujapanda further urged the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration to alert both the Odisha state government and the central government of India. He also called for diplomatic engagement with Chinese authorities to ensure such products are permanently taken down and prevented from being sold again.
Political figures also weighed in on the controversy. Former Rajya Sabha MP and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Amar Patnaik condemned the listing in the strongest terms. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: “I vehemently condemn the egregious act of selling doormats with the sacred image of Lord Jagannath on AliExpress! This shameless profanity is an affront to the deepest sentiments of millions of devotees, trampling upon the revered iconography with utter disregard. It’s a desecration of the highest order, and those responsible must be held accountable.”
In a follow-up post, he added: “The fact that Lord Jagannath’s image is being used as a mere commodity is a stark reminder of the blatant disrespect towards Hinduism. Immediate action is imperative to rectify this egregious wrongdoing and restore dignity to the revered deity.”
The incident has ignited widespread anger across social media platforms, with users demanding the immediate removal of the product and an official apology from the company. One user wrote: “What is this, AliExpress? You are selling doormats featuring Lord Jagannath, a deeply revered deity worshipped by Hindus across the world. Take it down immediately. This is a shameful act of disrespect.”
Another comment read: “We do not support or endorse the sale of such items and strongly urge sellers to consider the cultural and spiritual implications of their products. Respect for faith and tradition must always come before profit.”
Several users accused the platform of deliberately provoking religious sentiment. One person stated: “People really don’t have any common sense, I think this is done knowingly.”
Another added: “Time and again these companies do such shameful acts. They only do it purposely to gain popularity by hurting Hindu sentiments.”
A particularly pointed response read: “AliExpress, this is disrespect of 2 billion Hindus worldwide! Remove it immediately!”
Lord Jagannath, regarded as a manifestation of Lord Krishna—the eighth incarnation of Vishnu—is worshipped across India. The deity, whose name means “Lord of the Universe”, is venerated alongside his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.
The Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Hinduism and the focal point of several important rituals and festivals. Chief among them is the annual Ratha Yatra or Chariot Festival, during which the three siblings are paraded through the streets of Puri in ornately decorated wooden chariots, drawn by thousands of devotees.
Devotees and religious leaders have emphasised that any commercial misuse of Lord Jagannath’s image or associated terminology is not only culturally insensitive but a direct affront to deeply held spiritual beliefs.
Meanwhile, addressing the row, the company issued a statement. "Upon receipt of the feedback, we have conducted screening and verification, and have removed the item in question. As a marketplace that facilitates the transactions between shoppers and sellers, we are taking proactive measures to monitor and endeavor to prevent sellers from listing such items again. We appreciate input from everyone to help us maintaining a healthy and friendly online shopping environment," AliExpress communicated.
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