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Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Odisha govt plans to trademark dham, shree mandira, other words associated with Puri Jagannath Temple
The Mohan Charan Majhi-led Odisha govt has decided to secure trademark rights for several words and phrases associated with Jagannath Temple in Puri, according to a TOI report. The decision comes in the wake of a recent controversy over the naming of a newly built temple in Bengal's Digha as 'Jagannath dham'. "The terms sought to be shielded include 'Jagannath dham', 'shree mandira', 'Purushottam kshetra', 'neelachal dham', 'bada danda', 'mahaprasad' and 'neela chakra'," reported TOI quoting Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo What are experts and scholars saying? The final list of words is being finalised. Once we get the trademark rights, their unauthorised use will be considered a violation and invite legal action. These terms are deeply rooted in ancient Hindu scriptures and are intrinsically linked to culture and traditions involving Jagannath, Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of SJTA, said. The Odisha government is currently gathering necessary documents and historical evidence to support its claims. SJTA further said that it would soon move the department for promotion of industry and internal trade under Union ministry of commerce and industry, which oversees the application process, according to the TOI report. Live Events Officials maintained that the absence of any existing trademark rights for these terms has limited their ability to legally challenge use of the name 'Jagannath dham' by Digha temple authorities. State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan added, "Our Chief Minister has already written a letter to his West Bengal counterpart. As that letter remains unanswered, the state is considering legal action." The SJTMC also discussed preparations for the upcoming annual Rath Yatra, scheduled for June 27. Padhee said, "The SJTMC has decided to form a 'Pahandi Dala' (idol procession team) for each chariot during the Rath Yatra, with the number of servitors to be finalised by the SJTA, Puri Collector, Chhatisa Nijog (servitors' body), and other stakeholders in a future meeting." The committee also reached a consensus on ensuring smooth arrangements for the Rath Yatra and related rituals. Detailed discussions were held on the Snana Yatra (bathing ritual), Ghosa Yatra (chariot procession), and Bahuda Yatra (return chariot festival). Special focus will be placed on the smooth Pahandi (procession) of the idols onto the chariots and their return to the temples. Responding to another query, Padhee said non-servitors would be strictly prohibited from accessing the chariots. "Strong action will be taken against violators," he said, adding that carrying mobile phones on the chariots would also be banned. "This will amount to criminal charges," he warned. Padhee further said that the committee discussed additional issues such as the relocation of the Hundi (donation box) from inside the temple, and the imposition of restrictions on the height of buildings around the Shree Mandir and Gundicha Temple to prevent disruptions to rituals. "The Urban Development Department will be informed, and a formal request will be made to the government to enforce this restriction," he said. The meeting also discussed on the safety of the Ratna Bhandar (temple treasury) and the protection and proper management of the landed properties of Lord Jagannath.
NDTV
27-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Odisha To Patent Words Linked To Jagannath Temple Amid Fight With Bengal
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has announced to secure trademark rights for various words and phrases that are associated with the Jagannath Temple in Puri amid an ongoing dispute over a newly-inaugurated temple in West Bengal. The West Bengal government's reference to the temple in Bigha as "Jagannath Dham", a term historically and scripturally reserved for the 12th-century temple in Puri, has met with strong objections from religious scholars, priests and politicians in Odisha. Arabinda Padhee, a Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) official, said on Monday that they will soon apply for patent terms like Mahaprasad (bhog), Srimandir (temple), Shree Jagannath Dham (place), Shreekshetra (place), and Purushottam Dham (place), among others. "This will help prevent misuse of the 12th century's original spiritual identity and unauthorised use of its sacred terminology," Mr Padhee, an IAS officer, told reporters. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the 'Jagannath Dham' on April 30. Ms Banerjee has defended the use of the name 'Jagannath Dham' and blamed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the controversy, describing it as 'jealousy'. "I have heard that the Daitapati has been questioned for coming to conduct the puja here. They have issued a notification asking them not to come to Jagannath Dham (in West Bengal). Why are they so irked? We all go to Puri. We never question. When I go to Puri, the BJP protests. Why so much jealousy over the Jagannath Dham? When you fall short of potatoes, Bengal supplies. I love Odisha," she said this month. Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan has said they are planning to take legal steps in the matter, calling it a case of 'title theft'. "The whole world and all the devotees of Lord Jagannath are condemning the cunning way of the title theft initiative. If things will not be resolved properly, we will take legal steps in a bid to protect the Jagannath culture. We are reviewing the matter," Mr Harichandan said. The temple at Digha has been built at a cost of Rs 250 crore and is a replica of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, which is recognized as one of the four dhams (holy places) in India.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Move to patent terms linked to Puri temple
Puri: In the light of the ongoing dispute with West Bengal over the naming of the Digha temple as a 'Dham,' the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) on Monday decided to patent certain words and logos associated with the 12th-century shrine in Odisha. A proposal to this effect was approved at the SJTMC meeting chaired by the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Dibyasingha Deb, and attended by ex officio members including Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee, Puri District Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain, Puri SP Vinit Agarwal and others. 'The SJTA will soon apply to patent terms like Mahaprasad (bhog), Srimandir (temple), Shree Jagannath Dham (place), Shreekshetra (place) and Purushottam Dham (place), among others. A proposal in this regard has been approved by the SJTMC,' said Arabinda Padhee, an IAS officer, while addressing reporters. Padhee said patenting specific words and logos related to the Jagannath Temple would serve as a legal instrument to protect the cultural, religious and spiritual identity of the Puri temple. 'This will help prevent misuse of the 12th century's original spiritual identity and unauthorised use of its sacred terminology,' he added. Regarding the ongoing row with the West Bengal government over the alleged misuse of the term Jagannath Dham, Padhee said the matter would be addressed by the State governments. Deb said, 'The West Bengal government cannot use the term 'Jagannath Dham' for their temple at Digha. This is against Hindu scriptures and the age-old tradition of Lord Jagannath.' Replying to a query, the Gajapati Maharaja asserted that the issue should be resolved amicably between the two State governments, as the Digha temple is a project developed by the West Bengal government. 'It is better to settle the matter through dialogue instead of seeking legal shelter,' Deb said. State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said, 'Our Chief Minister has already written a letter to his West Bengal counterpart. As that letter remains unanswered, the State is considering legal action.' The SJTMC also discussed preparations for the upcoming annual Rath Yatra, scheduled for June 27. Padhee said, 'The SJTMC has decided to form a 'Pahandi Dala' (idol procession team) for each chariot during the Rath Yatra, with the number of servitors to be finalised by the SJTA, Puri Collector, Chhatisa Nijog (servitors' body) and other stakeholders in a future meeting.' The committee also reached a consensus on ensuring smooth arrangements for the Rath Yatra and related rituals. Detailed discussions were held on the Snana Yatra (bathing ritual), Ghosa Yatra (chariot procession) and Bahuda Yatra (return chariot festival). Special focus will be placed on the smooth Pahandi (procession) of the idols onto the chariots and their return to the temples. Responding to another query, Padhee said non-servitors would be strictly prohibited from accessing the chariots. 'Strong action will be taken against violators,' he said, adding that carrying mobile phones on the chariots would also be banned. 'This will amount to criminal charges,' he warned. Padhee further said the committee discussed additional issues such as the relocation of the Hundi (donation box) from inside the temple, and the imposition of restrictions on the height of buildings around the Shree Mandir and Gundicha Temple to prevent disruptions to rituals. 'The Urban Development department will be informed, and a formal request will be made to the government to enforce this restriction,' he said. The meeting also discussed on the safety of the Ratna Bhandar (temple treasury) and the protection and proper management of the landed properties of Lord Jagannath.
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Jagannath temple body to apply for patents on names
Amid the tussle between Odisha and West Bengal over naming of the Jagannath temple in Digha as Jagannath dham, the Jagannath temple management committee of Puri on Monday said it would apply for patent for expressions such as 'Srimandir', 'Jagannath Dham', and 'Mahaprasad'. The temple management committee which met in Puri on Monday said the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration would apply for patents of terms such as 'Srimandir', 'Jagannath Dham', 'Mahaprasad', 'logo of Srimandir', 'Shrikshetra', and 'Purushottam Dham'. It has been approved in a high-level meeting today,' said SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee. 'Patenting these temple-related terms is a legal measure aimed at preserving the sanctity, heritage, and unique identity of the Jagannath Temple. This step is crucial to prevent the indiscriminate use of sacred terminology linked to Lord Jagannath,' said Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of the temple. Last month, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the Jagannath Temple in Digha referring to it as 'Jagannath Dham' sparking widespread criticism, as 'Dham' is a sacred designation traditionally linked to Puri, per Hindu scriptures and Adi Shankaracharya's designation of four Dhams (Puri, Badrinath, Dwarka, Rameswaram). Also Read | Attempts to encroach Puri Jagannath temple land will not be tolerated: Shrine authorities The Puri Shankaracharya and several others have argued that using 'Dham' for Digha undermines Puri's unique spiritual and cultural significance. The Digha temple allows non-Hindus and foreigners, unlike Puri's Hindu-only tradition, further fuelling objections. BJP leaders Sambit Patra and Suvendu Adhikari accused the West Bengal government of using the temple for political leverage ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. Though Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi this month wrote to Banerjee requesting the removal of the term 'Jagannath Dham' from the Digha temple's official name, the Bengal CM remains unmoved. Puri's king Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb on Monday urged the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and the state government to take immediate action against the naming of the newly inaugurated Jagannath temple in Digha of West Bengal as 'Jagannath Dham'. 'The nomenclature used for the Digha temple has deeply hurt the sentiments of devotees. Terms like Nilachal Dham, Shreekhetra, Srimandir, and Jagannath Dham have always been exclusively associated with the sacred temple in Puri,' he said. Also Read | Suspension of Odisha Jagannath temple servitor escalates TMC-BJP row in Bengal The inauguration of the temple in Digha has already stirred a controversy after Ramakrishna Dasmohapatra, secretary of the Daitapati Nijog, the group of servitors that is responsible for some rituals during the annual Rath Yatra such as carrying the deities to their respective chariots, claimed that leftover wood not used in Nabakalabera was used for idols of Jagannath temple in Digha. Nabakalebar is a sacred ritual of Lord Jagannath, in which the old wooden idols of the four deities including Lord Sudarshan are replaced with new ones made of neem wood called Daru.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Odisha to seek trademark shield for Puri temple
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha govt has decided to secure trademark rights for several words and phrases associated with Jagannath Temple in Puri. The decision comes in the wake of a recent controversy over the naming of a newly built temple in Bengal's Digha as 'Jagannath dham'. Odisha objected to the use of the word 'dham', arguing that 'Jagannath dham' refers exclusively to the Puri shrine - one of India's four sacred 'dhams' - and its use elsewhere diluted its religious and cultural significance. "The terms sought to be shielded include 'Jagannath dham', 'shree mandira', 'Purushottam kshetra', 'neelachal dham', 'bada danda', 'mahaprasad' and 'neela chakra'," Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, said. Experts, scholars back Odisha's trademark move on Puri temple The final list of words is being finalised. Once we get the trademark rights, their unauthorised use will be considered a violation and invite legal action. These terms are deeply rooted in ancient Hindu scriptures and are intrinsically linked to culture and traditions involving Jagannath, Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of SJTA, said. State govt is currently gathering necessary documents and historical evidence to support its claims. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tukarkan Bitcoin dan Ethereum - Tanpa Dompet Diperlukan! IC Markets MULAI SEKARANG Undo SJTA further said that it would soon move the department for promotion of industry and internal trade under Union ministry of commerce and industry, which oversees the application process. Officials maintained that the absence of any existing trademark rights for these terms has limited their ability to legally challenge use of the name 'Jagannath dham' by Digha temple authorities. Cultural experts and religious scholars in Odisha supported the decision. Dibyasingha Deb, Puri king and chairman of Jagannath Temple managing committee, laid stress on preservation of exclusivity of Jagannath tradition. "We support new Jagannath temples worldwide, provided they adhere to the main temple's traditions and culture," he said.
