Jagannath Temple

Odisha opens Jagannath Temple's land treasure chest to reclaim assets

The state target 60,426 acres under dispute or encroachment to build a ₹10,000 crore corpus

Odisha targets recovery of 60,426 acres of land, eyes ₹10K cr temple corpus

The state has directed officials to expedite land cases, verify historical records and settle eligible encroachments to create a Rs 10,000 crore temple corpus

Puri Jagannath temple rejects Iskcon's claim on untimely Rath Yatra

A committee of the Puri Jagannath temple rejected ISKCON's claim that holding Rath Yatra on random days was in accordance with the scriptures, and asserted that it was an attempt to mislead devotees around the world. ISKCON and the Puri temple administration have been at loggerheads over the "untimely" organisation of the Rath Yatra and other festivals related to Lord Jagannath outside India. "The press release of ISKCON National Communications Office, New Delhi, circulated in the media on 12th July 2026, contains false statements and seeks to cast aspersions with the intention of misleading the public with regard to untimely Shree Jagannatha Ratha Yatra," Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) said in a statement on Tuesday. "ISKCON's Rath Yatra festivals are fully permitted and in complete accordance with the 'shastras' are absolutely false," the SJTA said. When contacted by PTI over the phone, ISKCON's Country Director of Communications & National Spokesperson, Yudhistir .

One Rath Yatra, two traditions? Puri and Iskcon at loggerheads over timing

The Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee has urged the President and Prime Minister to intervene after Iskcon declined to align its global Rath Yatra celebrations with Puri's scriptural calendar

Puri Jagannath temple secures IP protection for sacred 'words'

In a first for an Indian shrine, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has secured trademark protection for key terms and symbols linked to the Puri temple's religious identity

Odisha weighs dress code for Jagannath temple entry after southern shrines

State law panel proposes formal dress code rooted in tradition for Puri temple, recommending changes to existing Act to ensure enforceability and preserve sanctity

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