Odisha to Frame Comprehensive Policy for Temple Preservation and Management: Law Minister

Bhubaneswar, July 30: The Odisha government will soon formulate a comprehensive policy aimed at preserving, restoring, and efficiently managing the state’s ancient temples, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced on Tuesday.

The initiative, which seeks to ensure systematic rituals and holistic development of religious institutions, was discussed during a high-level review meeting chaired by the Minister. The proposed policy will also focus on the restoration and improvement of temples that hold immense historical, architectural, and spiritual significance.

Minister Harichandan stated that Odisha would draw inspiration from the best practices adopted by states like Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu in managing temple affairs. Officials from the Endowment Department will soon conduct field visits across regions to assess the condition of temples and prepare a roadmap for action.

The upcoming policy will cover both endowment-managed and privately-owned temples, aiming to standardize rituals, improve governance, and ensure proper documentation and financial transparency.

Key aspects discussed at the meeting included:

• Modernization of the Endowment Commissioner’s website for improved public access to information
• Provision of special grants for temple management
• Licensing rights for performing worship
• Clear definition of duties for Trust Boards
• Strengthening oversight under the Odisha Hindu Religious Endowments (OHRE) Act, 1951
• Organizing religious festivals and heritage promotion activities

The Law Minister urged all departmental officials to work in coordination to fulfill Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s vision for the revival and sustainable development of religious institutions in Odisha.