Bhubaneswar, 26 May (H.S.): In a significant move to protect the sanctity and intellectual property of the Shree Jagannath Temple, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has decided to apply for patents on words and logos associated with the revered 12th-century shrine in Puri.

The decision was taken during a preparatory meeting for the upcoming Rath Yatra, chaired by Puri King Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb. Chief Administrator of SJTA, Ranjan Kumar Das, confirmed that the temple administration will soon initiate the process to secure intellectual property rights for terms such as Mahaprasad, Srimandir, Shree Jagannath, and other ritualistic identifiers connected to the temple and its traditions.

The move comes amid a growing need to safeguard the cultural and religious identity of the temple against misuse and unauthorized commercialization. The 'Jagannath Dham' dispute in Digha, West Bengal, was also discussed. SJTA informed that the issue will be taken up jointly by the governments of Odisha and West Bengal at an appropriate level.

Key decisions regarding the 2025 Rath Yatra were also finalized during the meeting, which was attended virtually by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and other ex-officio SJTA members. It was decided that a dedicated 'Pahandi Dala' (team of servitors responsible for ceremonial procession) would be assigned to each chariot. The exact number of servitors will be finalized in consultation with the Puri Collector, Chhatisa Nijog, and other stakeholders.

Strict guidelines were also reinforced for the Rath Yatra procession. Non-servitors will not be allowed on the chariots, and carrying mobile phones on them will be treated as a criminal offense. Violators will face stringent legal action, SJTA warned.

Further, measures to preserve the architectural integrity of the Shree Gundicha Temple were also discussed. It was decided that height restrictions will be imposed on nearby buildings to prevent any potential damage to the sacred site.

The meeting also addressed the protection of Ratna Bhandar (the temple’s treasury) and the land assets of Lord Jagannath, emphasizing the need for robust safeguarding and legal enforcement.

With these proactive decisions, the SJTA is aiming to uphold the sanctity, security, and heritage of one of India's most iconic religious institutions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda