Puri’s Srimandir Terminology to Get Trademark Protection Amid ‘Jagannath Dham’ Row

Puri: To safeguard the sanctity and identity of the Shree Jagannath Temple, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has initiated steps to trademark sacred terms and logos associated with the 12th-century shrine in Puri. The decision comes amid a rising controversy surrounding the naming of a new structure in Digha, West Bengal as ‘Jagannath Dham’.

SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee, speaking after a preparatory meeting for the upcoming Rath Yatra, announced that the administration would soon register key temple-related terms such as Mahaprasad, Srimandir, Shree Jagannath Dham, Shreekshetra, and Purushottam Dham.

Padhee emphasized that this legal initiative aims to prevent the unauthorised or misleading use of temple-associated terminology. “It is essential to protect the cultural and spiritual heritage of Shree Jagannath. These terms are not just names; they represent centuries of devotion and tradition,” he said.

Referring to the controversy over the naming of the Digha project, Padhee stated that the matter would be addressed through coordination between the Odisha and West Bengal governments.

Monday’s meeting, chaired by Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb and attended virtually by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, focused extensively on preparations for the Rath Yatra, one of the largest religious festivals in the country. It was decided that a dedicated ‘Pahandi Dala’ will be formed for each chariot to manage the ceremonial pulling of the deities. The number of servitors in each team will be finalised in a subsequent meeting involving the Puri Collector, Chhatisa Nijog, and other key stakeholders.

Strict security measures were also outlined to maintain decorum during the festival. Non-servitors will be barred from climbing onto the chariots, and anyone found carrying mobile phones on the chariots will face criminal charges, Padhee cautioned.

The meeting also addressed the impact of urban development on the sanctity of the Shree Gundicha Temple, where the deities reside during the Rath Yatra. SJTA proposed restrictions on building heights around the temple to avoid visual and ritual disruption. A formal request will be made to the Urban Development Department to regulate construction in the vicinity.

With increasing commercialization and the use of Jagannath-related terms in other states, the SJTA’s decision to trademark key religious expressions is seen as a proactive cultural safeguard. Officials believe it will ensure that the temple’s unique spiritual and historical identity remains intact.

As preparations for the Rath Yatra gain momentum, the focus of SJTA remains on ritual purity, legal protection, and maintaining the cultural essence of Odisha’s most iconic religious institution.