Puri: The Odisha government has initiated efforts to secure copyright protection for the sacred rituals performed at the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, aiming to preserve the rich heritage and traditional cultural expressions linked to the centuries-old shrine.
This significant move was confirmed by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the hereditary monarch of Puri, who plays a key ceremonial role in temple affairs. According to him, these legal steps are being taken to prevent the misuse or unauthorized replication of these sacred traditions, especially in commercial or inappropriate contexts.
The ritual practices associated with the Jagannath temple—ranging from daily worship and special ceremonies to major festivals like Rath Yatra—hold deep religious and cultural value. They have been passed down through generations, maintaining continuity in both form and spiritual intent.
With growing concerns over the misrepresentation and commodification of temple customs, the state is working proactively to ensure these unique cultural identifiers remain intact. The aim is to legally recognize these rituals under the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) framework, which would grant the temple authorities exclusive rights over how these traditions are portrayed, recorded, or broadcast.
The initiative also aligns with global efforts to protect intangible cultural heritage, especially that which is deeply rooted in religious and regional identities. Further developments, including legal consultations and documentation, are underway to formalize this protective measure.