SJTA to Patent Sacred Terms Linked to Puri Jagannath Temple; Tightens Rath Yatra Protocols

Puri, May 26 : In a significant move to preserve the sanctity and cultural identity of the Jagannath tradition, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has decided to patent several words and phrases intrinsically linked to the Puri Jagannath Temple. The initiative aims to prevent the commercial misuse or misrepresentation of these sacred terms, SJTA Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee announced on Monday.

Terms such as Srimandir, Mahaprasad, Srikshetra, Purusottam, Anand Bazar, Nilachakra, Nilachal Dham, Purusottam Dham, Sri Jagannath Dham, Abhada, and Patitapabana will be protected under the intellectual property framework to preserve their religious and cultural significance.

Following a high-level meeting of the temple body, Padhee outlined a series of additional measures to streamline rituals and enhance the safety of devotees and servitors during the upcoming Rath Yatra. These include the reorganization of the Pahandi procession — the ceremonial transfer of the deities to their chariots — after a mishap last year in which Lord Balabhadra’s idol fell due to procedural lapses.

To avoid recurrence, three dedicated teams of senior Daita servitors will be constituted, each with a restricted number of members to manage the Pahandi rituals.

Strict new rules will also be enforced:

• Only authorized individuals will be allowed on the chariots.
• Mobile phones will be strictly prohibited on the chariots; violators will face fines and potential police action.
• Charamalas (ladders) used for climbing onto the chariots will be inspected and modified if necessary by the Biswakarmas and senior servitors.
• Seasoned palm trunks have been collected in advance to ensure structural safety.

Padhee also emphasized the importance of timely ritual performance during the Snana Yatra, Sri Gundicha Pahandi, Chariot Pulling, Bahuda Yatra, Sunavesha, and Niladri Bije.

The temple administration is working on logistical enhancements, including relocating the Hundi (donation box) within the temple premises to improve queue management for darshan (viewing of the deity). A formal request for this shift has been submitted to the state government.

Further, the SJTA will regulate private and commercial high-rise buildings near the Parikrama corridor and Gundicha Temple. These structures may face height restrictions and be subject to design modifications to align with the architectural ethos of Srimandir.

In addition, SJTA is taking steps to safeguard and manage temple endowment properties located across India. Some non-performing assets may be disposed of, with proceeds directed to the temple’s corpus fund to support ongoing and future initiatives.

This comprehensive set of measures comes as part of the temple administration’s intensified preparations for the annual Rath Yatra, ensuring it is conducted smoothly, safely, and in accordance with age-old traditions. The meeting was convened in the absence of a newly formed managing committee, with all key officials in attendance.