Puri Jagannath Temple Panel Moves to Trademark Sacred Terms

Puri Jagannath Temple Panel Moves to Trademark Sacred Terms

Why in the News?

Amid a controversy over naming a new Jagannath Temple in Digha (West Bengal) as “Jagannath Dham”, the Puri Temple management has decided to secure trademark rights for terms like Srimandir and Mahaprasad to protect religious and cultural sanctity. This move aims to preserve the spiritual identity and heritage value of one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Odisha. The Puri Jagannath Temple location, known for its historical importance and as one of the top 10 temples in Odisha, has become the center of this latest development in Jagannath Puri news. Devotees visiting the temple often check the Puri weather forecast to plan their pilgrimage effectively.

Temple Body’s Legal Step for Cultural Protection:

• The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri, also known as Shreekshetra, plans to trademark key religious expressions including:
• Srimandir, Jagannath Dham, Mahaprasad ○ Shrikshetra, Purushottam Dham, and temple logo
• Decision approved in a high-level committee meeting chaired by SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee.
• Aim: To preserve sanctity, heritage, and unique identity of Puri’s Jagannath Temple and prevent misuse of sacred terminology associated with Jagannath god and the temple’s rituals, including the famous Chhera Pahanra ceremony.
• The move also includes seeking a Mahaprasad patent to protect the sanctity of the temple’s sacred offering.
• As part of modernization efforts, the SJTA is also developing a Sri Mandir app to provide information and services to devotees.

Digha Temple Naming Sparks Controversy

• West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee inaugurated a new Jagannath Temple in Digha, calling it “Jagannath Dham”.
• Critics argue “Dham” is a term traditionally associated with Puri, as per Adi Shankaracharya’s four Dhams, also known as Char Dham.
• The temple’s open access to non-Hindus and foreigners further inflamed sentiments among devotees, contrasting with the strict entry rules at the original Puri Jagannath Temple.
• This controversy has led to increased interest in Lord Jagannath images and Jagannath Mandir photo, as devotees seek to compare the new temple with the original. Many are even searching for Jagannath Temple wallpaper to show their devotion digitally.

Wider Political and Cultural Reactions

• Odisha CM and Puri’s Gajapati Maharaja, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, urged for the removal of the term from the Digha temple.
• BJP leaders like Sambit Patra accused Bengal govt of politicising religion ahead of 2026 polls.
• Allegation that wood meant for Puri’s Nabakalabera ritual was used for Digha idols added to the controversy, raising concerns about the sanctity of this important Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra-related practice.
• The Daitapati Nijog, a crucial servitor group of the Puri Temple, has also expressed concerns over the issue.

The controversy has sparked debates about the preservation of cultural and religious heritage in Odisha, home to many of India’s top 10 temples. Religious organizations, including ISKCON, are closely watching the developments, as the outcome may set a precedent for protecting sacred terms and traditions associated with ancient temples and deities. The ISKCON Temple Bhubaneswar, another significant religious site in Odisha, has also shown interest in the trademark issue.

As part of the latest news of Odisha today, this move to secure patents for sacred terms has garnered significant attention. The SJTA’s decision to trademark these terms is seen as a crucial step in preserving the unique cultural and spiritual legacy of the Jagannath Temple, ensuring that the sanctity of the Jagannath name and associated traditions remains intact for generations to come. This initiative has also sparked interest in traditional Jagannath drawing styles, with many artists creating devotional works inspired by the temple’s iconography.