Puri’s Srimandir Seeks Legal Shield Over Sacred Terms and Traditions

At a meeting chaired by Puri King Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, it was unanimously decided that terms such as Shree Jagannath Dham, Srimandir, Purushottam Kshetra, Mahaprasad, Srikshetra, Neelachakra, and the temple logo should be trademarked or copyrighted to prevent misuse or replication by other institutions, especially in light of recent disputes — notably the Jagannath temple at Digha, West Bengal, naming itself “Jagannath Dham.”

SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee emphasized the importance of intellectual property protection, stating these terms are spiritually and ritually rooted in Puri’s heritage and should not be commercialized or misappropriated.

The administration also addressed rising concerns about the skyline around Srimandir and Gundicha temple, both visually and spiritually significant. Plans are underway to regulate the height and design of new constructions in the vicinity, in line with National Monuments Authority (NMA) norms under the Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.

On preparations for the upcoming Rath Yatra, the SJTA announced the formation of specialized pahandi teams for each chariot, with strict regulations. Non-servitors climbing the chariots will face action, and servitors caught with mobile phones on the chariots will face criminal charges and device confiscation.

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