Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art digital library in Puri to safeguard invaluable historical records, manuscripts, and sacred documents associated with the 12th-century Jagannath Temple.
The digital library will be developed at the site of the old Raghunandan Library in Puri, a historic institution that once housed a treasure trove of rare palm-leaf manuscripts and books in Sanskrit, Odia, and Bengali. Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan confirmed that alongside the library, a dedicated research centre will also be set up to promote advanced study of Jagannath culture.
“Rare records and sacred documents of Jagannath Temple—including the Madala Panji, the temple’s ritual calendar, and ancient palm-leaf manuscripts—will be digitised and preserved. This initiative is crucial to safeguard the timeless heritage of the shrine,” Harichandan said.
The Madala Panji, regarded as the temple’s chronicle, documents centuries of rituals, festivals, and key events associated with the temple. Scholars believe its preservation in digital form will open new avenues for research and global accessibility.
SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee underscored the significance of the project, describing it as both a preservation measure and a knowledge hub. “By digitising rare manuscripts and documents, we are protecting them from physical deterioration while ensuring universal access. Devotees, historians, and researchers will be able to explore Jagannath culture in depth through this library,” Padhee said.
He added that the initiative would serve as a bridge between tradition and technology, enabling global scholars and devotees to engage with Jagannath heritage. “This unique project is not only about preservation but also about connecting generations to the spiritual and cultural essence of Jagannath,” he remarked.
The project marks a revival of the legacy of the Raghunandan Library, which was established in the 1920s by the authorities of Emar Mutt. For decades, the library served as a repository of rare literature and manuscripts before its demolition to make way for the Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor project. Its collections were relocated within Puri, but with the creation of the digital library, these priceless resources will now be preserved for posterity.
The announcement comes three months after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi revealed a broader cultural preservation initiative in July, which includes the creation of a museum, research centre, and auditorium in Puri. The proposed campus will feature a 300-seat auditorium for light-and-sound shows, an open-air stage for cultural performances, and a museum showcasing aspects of temple history such as the making of wooden deities, Kalinga’s victory in Kanchi, and the temple’s elaborate rituals. Exhibits will include miniature statues, plaques, and paintings to bring these stories to life.
Officials expressed confidence that the digital library and associated cultural facilities would transform Puri into a global hub of research and devotion, attracting scholars, devotees, and tourists from around the world. “This effort will deepen understanding of Jagannath culture and reinforce Puri’s identity as a centre of spiritual and cultural heritage,” Padhee said.
With this initiative, the state government and SJTA aim not only to protect fragile manuscripts but also to promote Odisha’s centuries-old traditions on an international platform.
