Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has launched a significant initiative to reclaim and protect the extensive landed properties of Bhagwan Jagannath, which are located across the state and in various parts of the country. This move is seen as a landmark step in preserving the heritage and assets of the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
State Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan announced that Bhagwan Jagannath is the legal owner of nearly 58,000 acres of land. Currently, records for approximately 36,000 to 37,000 acres have been verified and documented. Efforts are ongoing to complete the verification and finalize records for the remaining parcels.
“The government is working at a fast pace to ensure all of Bhagwan Jagannath’s properties are properly recorded, protected, and reclaimed,” Harichandan stated. He emphasized that the administration is committed to preventing encroachment or misuse of these assets and to restoring them to their rightful purpose.
According to officials, once reclaimed, the land will be managed in a structured manner. It will be utilized for the service and welfare of the Jagannath Temple and for related religious and cultural activities. Revenue generated from these assets will be directly allocated to the temple and its devotees.
The Law Minister also noted that efforts are underway to accurately assess the location and extent of the properties, including those located outside Odisha. “The government is committed to reclaiming these valuable lands in accordance with tradition and heritage,” he added.
This initiative follows a directive from the Orissa High Court issued in May, which instructed the state government to ensure robust protection of Jagannath Temple properties. A bench led by Justice Sanjeev Kumar Panigrahi directed the digitization of temple land records, proper mutation and transfer of titles, and the formulation of clear guidelines for asset management.
The court further ordered that all properties of Bhagwan Jagannath must be precisely recorded in revenue and land registers, warning that any unlawful mutation or correction in land records must be canceled. Additionally, the court called for a review of Section 16(2) of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, which pertains to property-related provisions.
The High Court emphasized the need for coordinated action between the Law Department and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in managing transfers, leases, and mutations of temple properties. It also directed a review of all suspected illegal transfers and administrative irregularities, urging corrective actions where necessary.
Officials have stated that the government is already working to implement these directives. A special focus is being placed on the digitization of records and legal verification to ensure transparency and accountability.
The state government’s current initiative is regarded as one of the most comprehensive efforts in recent decades to safeguard the Jagannath Temple’s landholdings. With thousands of acres scattered across Odisha and beyond, reclaiming and recording them has historically presented administrative challenges.
By undertaking this large-scale verification and management exercise, the government aims not only to protect temple assets but also to ensure their proper use for the welfare of devotees and the continuation of cultural and religious traditions associated with Bhagwan Jagannath.
“This effort is about protecting heritage as much as it is about safeguarding property,” remarked an official, adding that the reclaimed land will serve both spiritual and socio-cultural purposes for generations to come.
