Jagannath Temple

Odisha govt nominates ex-CAG Girish Murmu, nine to Jagannath Temple panel

The Odisha government on Tuesday nominated 10 people, including former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India Girish Chandra Murmu, to the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC). The appointments have been made under the provisions of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954 (Odisha Act 11 of 1955), according to the notification issued by the Law department. The administration of Lord Jagannath's temple in Puri is under the Law department of the state government. The Gajapati Maharaja, the titular king of Puri, Dibya Singh Deb, is the permanent chairman of the SJTMC. The SJTMC is considered the apex body of the 12th-century shrine, and the chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), who is an IAS officer, is the secretary of the SJTMC. Apart from Murmu, Chartered Accountant AK Sabat and eminent culture researcher Mahesh Kumar Sahoo have been nominated to the SJTMC. The other members nominated to the SJTMC are: Dr Siddheswar Mohapatra, ...

Odisha seeks public info on Puri stampede that killed 3 during Rath Yatra

The Odisha government on Thursday sought information from public regarding the stampede that took place near Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri during a ceremony related to ongoing Rath Yatra festivities in which three persons were killed and 50 others injured. The state government through a public notice urged the people to share information, video footage or any other materials related to the stampede which took place early on Sunday for a proper and transparent inquiry into the incident. The public notice issued by the Planning and Convergence department, also mentioned that any individual or organisation can share their information regarding how such an incident took place. "The members of the public are urged to share information, video footage or any other material through the e-mail puritragedy.enquiry@odisha.gov.in by July 20," an official said. This apart, the notice said that the interested persons can meet and share information with Development Commissioner and Additional Chi

CM Majhi visits Puri to review Rath Yatra arrangements post-stampede

Following the death of three devotees in a stampede near Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Tuesday reached the pilgrim town to review the arrangements made for the upcoming rituals related to Rath Yatra. Majhi is scheduled to meet the stakeholders associated with the Rath Yatra activities, an official said. After the stampede on Sunday, the chief minister himself issued an apology to the devotees. Majhi now wants to make sure that the remaining rituals, such as 'Bahuda Yatra' (return car festival), 'Suna Besha' (golden attire) and 'Niladri Bije' (deities' entry to main temple) are completed smoothly. Ahead of the chief minister's visit, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan held a marathon discussion with the senior servitors and listened to their grievances, like restrictions on them to climb the chariots, housing issues and children's education. The Jagannath temple in Puri functions under the law department of the state government. We had a

Puri stampede shows govt's failure to ensure peaceful Rath Yatra: Patnaik

BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Sunday claimed that the stampede near Gundicha Temple in Odisha's Puri exposed the state government's glaring incompetence in ensuring a peaceful Rath Yatra for devotees. At least three persons were killed and around 50 others injured in the stampede near the temple in the early hours of Sunday, a senior official said. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the three devotees who have lost their lives in the tragic stampede at Saradhabali, #Puri and I pray to Mahaprabhu Jagannatha for the swift recovery of the devotees injured in this devastating incident, Patnaik said in a post on X. Today's stampede, occurring just a day after the abysmal failure of crowd management during the #RathYatra that left hundreds injured, exposes the government's glaring incompetence in ensuring a peaceful festival for devotees, the Leader of Opposition in Odisha assembly said. The incident took place around 4 am when hundreds of devotees gathered near the .

Over 600 fall ill during Puri Rath Yatra, many admitted to hospitals

Nearly 625 people fell ill and many had to be admitted to hospitals due to sweltering heat and overcrowding during Rath Yatra here on Friday, officials said. According to Puri Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Dr. Kishore Satapathy, several people reported minor injuries, vomiting, and fainting primarily due to overcrowded conditions. "Most of them were discharged after receiving preliminary treatment at OPDs. There were no casualties," he added. Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the primary cause of illness among devotees was extreme heat and humid conditions. Around 70 people were undergoing treatment at the District Headquarters Hospital in Puri, with nine reported to be in critical condition, an official said. Meanwhile, sources claimed that a number of people were injured near Balagandi area where Lord Balabhadra's chariot, Taladhwaja, remained stuck for over an hour. "The prolonged halt led to a dense buildup of crowd, resulting in several

Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra 2025: Date, timings, significance and more

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 will be observed on June 27 and the festivals commenced on June 13. The nine-day festival marks the sacred journey of Lord Jagannath

NSG, NDRF deployed as devotees gather in Puri for Jagannath Rath Yatra

All rituals related to the Rath Yatra are being conducted as per schedule amid heightened security arrangements, with coordinated efforts from multiple security forces and district authorities

My heartfelt wishes to all countrymen: PM Modi on Jagannath Rath Yatra

Earlier today, President Droupadi Murmu extended her warm greetings to the devotees of Lord Jagannath in India and abroad

Civil, police administration on high alert as Puri prepares for Rath Yatra

The seaside pilgrim town of Puri is set to celebrate the Rath Yatra festival on Friday, with the administration being ready to smoothly conduct the event. The civil and police administrations are on high alert as lakhs of devotees will witness the annual event under tight security. By the grace of Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath), we are fully prepared to conduct a smooth Rath Yatra on Friday. We are getting complete support and cooperation from the servitors. All arrangements are in place to make the mega event successful, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee told reporters on Thursday. After completion of all rituals, the pulling of chariots of the sibling deities - Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath - will begin at 4 pm. Lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad are expected to participate in the event. About one lakh have reached Puri by Thursday evening, police sources said. Some of them had the opportunity to

Puri all set for Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025, Yatra starts tomorrow

The Rath Yatra ceremony is expected to attract a large crowd, making traffic management a key issue

Odisha Police prepares massive security for Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra

Odisha Police has prepared massive security arrangements for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath later this month, an official said on Tuesday. Director General of Police Y B Khurania on Monday held a high-level meeting with top police officers including those looking after intelligence, law and order, rail and coastal security. He ordered them to give special attention to incidents like possible stampede situation, drive against criminals and devotees amenities. The DGP also stressed on the deployment of K9 squad or dog squad, the official said. Several Union ministers and many VVIPs are likely to visit Puri during the Rath Yatra as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has invited many Union ministers and chief ministers of NDA-ruled states to visit Puri during the Rath Yatra. Last year President Droupadi Murmu had witnessed the Rath Yatra festival in Puri. The DGP also directed to ensure smooth traffic movement, barricade arrangements, and quick resolution of various problems i

Mamata Banerjee defends Digha Jagannath Temple amid sacred wood row

Speaking in Murshidabad on Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the claims of using 'sacred neem wood' from Odisha's Jagannath Temple in Puri as "baseless and fabricated"

Uproar in Odisha as West Bengal govt calls Digha temple 'Jagannath Dham'

Odisha and West Bengal locked in fierce cultural clash as Bengal's naming of Digha temple as 'Jagannath Dham' sparks religious and political controversy

President Murmu visits Shree Nilamadhav temple in Odisha's Nayagarh

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday offered prayers at Shree Nilamadhav Temple in Odisha's Nayagarh district. She was accompanied by Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The temple is located at Kantilo on the banks of Mahanadi. "The President offered 'aarti'. She was happy to pray at the famous Lord Vishnu temple," the priest said, adding that this marks the first-ever visit of a sitting President to the shrine in independent India. The temple is situated near two hills and is surrounded by dense forests. In ancient times, Shree Nilamadhav was worshipped by the Sabar tribe. Today, a shrine dedicated to Shree Nilamadhav is also located to the right of the Maha Lakshmi temple within the Puri temple complex. According to Bhaskar Mishra, a researcher in Shree Jagannath culture, it is believed that Lord Vishnu was originally worshipped as Shree Nilamadhav before the idol of Lord Jagannath was created and installed at the Puri temple. Earlier in the day

Special arrangements for darshan in Jagannath temple for Dec 31, Jan 1

Keeping in mind large congregation of devotees and tourists in this pilgrim town on the occasion of New Year celebration, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and police have made elaborate arrangements for smooth darshan of deities and movement of tourists. The SJTA in a statement said, "Entry for darshan in the 12th-century shrine will be allowed only through the Singhadwar (Lion's gate), while exit has been arranged through the other three gates. General devotees will not be permitted to enter through any gates other than the Singhadwar." However, this arrangement will not apply for servitors and their family members, who may enter or exit through any gate. "We seek everyone's cooperation for the smooth implementation of this arrangement for the orderly darshan of Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath)," SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee said. He said this arrangement in the temple will be implemented on December 31 and January 1. This apart, the Puri district administratio

Repair work for Puri Jagannath temple's Ratna Bhandar to start from Dec 16

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is likely to start repair work for the 'Ratna Bhandar' of the Jagannath temple in Odisha's Puri from December 16, an official said. The ASI has sought approval from the Niti sub-committee of the temple for the proposed repair work, ASI superintendent D B Garnaik said on Sunday. "After getting the time slot, we will start the work, most probably from December 16," he said. Earlier, the ASI had conducted the GPR-GPS survey of the 12th-century shrine's 'Ratna Bhandar' (treasury) with the assistance of the Hyderabad-based National Geophysical Research Institute. The institute submitted its survey findings to ASI last month, the official said. The repair work will be conducted as per the survey report and with the approval of the temple management, he said. The 'Ratna Bhandar' repair issue will be discussed during the Chhatisa Nijoga', the confederation of servitors of the Jagannath temple in Puri, scheduled for December 10, Puri Collector Sidd

Puri Jagannath temple urges ASI to begin repair work on Ratna Bhandar

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has requested the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) authorities to immediately take up the repair, maintenance and conservation work of the entire Ratna Bhandar (treasury) in the 12th century shine in Puri. SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee on Saturday said the temple administration will extend all its cooperation to ASI in the repair and maintenance of the Ratna Bhandar. "We have received the report of the Ratna Bhandar's GPR-GPS survey conducted by the ASI", Padhee said. He said the SJTA has all along been careful about the stability and security of the temple. Earlier, the ASI had conducted the GPR-GPS survey of the 12th-century shrine's Ratna Bhandar (treasury) with the assistance of Hyderabad-based NGRI (National Geophysical Research Institute). Padhee said the ASI has given a 45-page report on the survey. "There has been indication of damage done to the floor and wall of the Ratna Bhandar. However, the technical repo

Puri Jagannath temple to address untimely rath yatra issue with Iskcon

The Jagannath temple authorities in Puri will take up the matter with the Indian authorities of ISKCON over its plan to hold an "untimely Rath Yatra" in the US, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said. He said several socio-cultural organisations met him and expressed concern over the plan of ISKCON's Houston unit to conduct Lord Jagannath's 'Snan Yatra' (bathing festival) and Rath Yatra (chariot festival) in November, deviating from the normal practice at the temple in Puri where it is held a few months back at a stipulated time period. Many people including priests of the Jagannath temple are of the opinion that all rituals of the Lord across the world should be observed following religious practices held at Puri, the law minister said on Monday. The Puri Jagannath temple falls under the jurisdiction of the state government's law department. "The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration will hold talks with ISKCON and I hope a positive result will emerge," Harichandan ...

Tirupati laddoo row: Odisha officials to test ghee at Jagannath Temple

The row over the Tirupati temple erupted last week after Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu alleged that adulterated ghee was being used at the temple during the regime of his predecessor Jaganmohan Reddy

'Double engine' govt will help Odisha prosper, says CM Mohan Charan Majhi

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said Odisha has a "double engine" government which would help the state develop and prosper. Addressing a gathering at Barang in Banki assembly segment in Cuttack district on Saturday, he said the BJP has provided a people-centric government in Odisha. "Odisha has a double engine government, which will help the state develop and prosper. It is a people-centric government. Our commitment is to make a new Odisha," the chief minister said. The term "double engine" is used by BJP leaders to refer to the party being in power at the Centre as well as in a state. "Immediately after the formation of the government, we decided to open all four gates of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri and also the Ratna Bhandar, the Lord's treasury. This shows that the state government is people-centric," Majhi said. He said the BJP is the largest party in the world with a different ideology and appealed to people to take its membership. "The BJP's ideology is to develop th