Bhubaneswar, July 10:In a major relief for the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration, the Odisha Board of Revenue has ordered the restoration of nearly 57 acres of land, estimated to be worth around ₹300 crore, to the name of Lord Jagannath after cancelling a lease granted more than six decades ago.

The land, located at Nuasahi under Jatni tehsil in Khordha district, had been leased out in 1961 for industrial purposes. However, following a prolonged legal battle, the Board of Revenue ruled that the lease was invalid and directed the authorities to record the entire land in the name of Lord Jagannath.

The Board observed that the lease was granted in violation of the provisions of the Odisha Hindu Religious Endowments Act, 1951, as the mandatory legal procedures governing the lease of endowed temple property were not followed.

Declaring the 1961 lease illegal, the Board directed the revenue authorities to restore the ownership records of the 57-acre land in favour of the deity.

The landmark order is being seen as a significant victory for the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration and devotees. It has also raised expectations that similar action may be initiated to recover other temple properties allegedly under illegal occupation or held under irregular lease arrangements across Odisha.