Bhubaneswar, Sep 4: The Odisha government has launched a comprehensive initiative to identify, recover, and safeguard land owned by Lord Jagannath, both within and outside the state, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said on Thursday.

As per official estimates, Lord Jagannath holds approximately 58,000 acres of land. Documentation has already been completed for around 36,000 to 37,000 acres, with efforts underway to cover the remaining properties.

“The government is taking swift action to identify and secure Mahaprabhu’s assets, ensuring their protection and proper use for the service of Lord Jagannath,” said Harichandan. The land in question spans Puri, various parts of Odisha, and other states.

This initiative follows a directive from the Orissa High Court in May, which instructed the state government to ensure the comprehensive protection of temple properties. A bench headed by Justice Sanjeev Kumar Panigrahi ordered the digitization of temple records, proper mutation and registration of land in the name of Lord Jagannath, and the establishment of clear guidelines for property management.

The court also emphasized that any unauthorized changes or mutations in land records must be reversed. It specifically called for a review of Section 16(2) of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act to strengthen legal safeguards.

Additionally, the High Court directed close coordination between the Law Department and the temple administration to oversee transfers, leases, and mutations of temple land. It further called for investigations into any illegal transfers or irregularities, with corrective measures where necessary.