Puri, July 14: In response to growing concerns over the misuse and misrepresentation of Lord Jagannath’s sacred rituals, the Odisha government is taking steps to copyright the traditional practices associated with the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The temple’s titular king, Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, confirmed the move following a series of controversies most notably, the untimely celebration of Jagannath rituals by ISKCON abroad and West Bengal’s declaration of a temple in Digha as “Jagannath Dham.” Deb described these actions as serious violations of sacred traditions.
While ISKCON has reportedly assured compliance with the correct ritual calendar within India, inconsistencies in international celebrations continue to raise concern.
To safeguard the temple’s cultural and religious heritage, the Odisha government is consulting legal experts on how to formally secure intellectual property rights over key rituals and practices. This unprecedented step is aimed at preserving the sanctity and authenticity of Odisha’s centuries-old Jagannath tradition.
Additionally, Maharaja Deb has called on the state to appoint new members to the Shree Jagannath Temple Committee, emphasizing the importance of effective temple administration. While he welcomed the use of the chant “Jai Jagannath” by political figures in a spiritual context, he reiterated the need to protect the temple’s ancient customs from distortion.
This initiative marks a significant push by the state to assert cultural ownership and ensure that the legacy of Lord Jagannath remains rooted in its traditional heartland.
