Puri, June 11: In a significant step towards preserving the heritage and identity of the Jagannath Temple, the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has received approval from IP India for two temple-related terms—“Ananda Bazaar” and “Shripatitapaban”—along with the official SJTA logo.
SJTA Chief Administrator Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee informed that applications for trademark protection of 26 more temple-related names and terms are currently under consideration. IP India has sought additional information before granting final approval for these applications.
According to temple authorities, the move will play a crucial role in safeguarding the cultural, religious, and historical legacy of the revered shrine. Intellectual property protection will help prevent unauthorized commercial use, reproduction, sale, or misuse of these sacred names and symbols.
The administration has also applied for protection of the term “Jagannath Dham”, besides several other words and names associated with the temple's traditions and rituals.
The initiative comes amid concerns over the alleged misuse of Jagannath-related names and symbols in different places. Temple authorities have expressed concern over the use of terms such as “Jagannath Dham,” “Mahaprasad,” “Nirmalya,” “Ananda Bazaar,” “Ratna Bedi,” “Gundicha Temple,” “Bada Deula,” “Shankhakshetra,” and “Shripurushottam Kshetra” outside Puri, including at religious establishments in West Bengal's Digha.
Officials have also pointed to the unauthorized use of the SJTA logo on fake websites, leading to instances of fraud and misleading devotees. The trademark protection is expected to help curb such misuse and prevent the commercialization of sacred traditions linked to the original Jagannath shrine.
While the approval from IP India strengthens legal protection within India, questions remain about enforcing such rights internationally. Observers note that preventing the misuse of temple-related names and traditions abroad could be challenging and may require international intellectual property protection mechanisms.
Temple Management Committee member and senior priest Siddheshwar Mahapatra welcomed the move, calling it a positive step toward preserving the unique linguistic and cultural heritage associated with Puri and the Jagannath Temple.
Mahapatra, who authored the book “Puri Boli” documenting numerous temple-specific words and expressions, said many unique terms associated with the shrine deserve legal protection to preserve their authenticity and historical significance.
Temple authorities are hopeful that the approval process for the remaining applications will be completed soon, further strengthening efforts to protect the identity and traditions of the world-famous Jagannath Temple.
