Latest news with #ShreeJagannathTempleManagingCommittee
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Puri Gajapati urges ISKCON not to violate Rath Yatra traditions
Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee in Puri has written to the ISKCON, urging it to ensure that Lord Jagannath's ceremonial bathing rituals and Rath Yatra across the world are performed on the specific date sanctioned by scriptures and not to violate traditions. Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb of Puri, the chairman of the committee, expressed displeasure over some of the ISKCON temples across the world performing the sacred bathing rituals ('Snana Yatra') and the Rath Yatra on various dates, and alleged that such practices 'violate the scriptures and the Hindu calendar'. In a letter to Shree Govardhan Das Prabhu, chairman of ISKCON Governing Body Commission, Mayapur, Deb said, 'I request your good self to ensure that no ISKCON temple or centre anywhere in the world performs the 'Snana Yatra' or 'Rath Yatra' of Lord Shree Jagannath on a date/tithi not sanctioned by scriptures and traditions.' Deb also claimed that the temples of the ISKCON authorities outside India are 'celebrating the 'Snana Yatra' (bathing rituals) and the Rath Yatra of Lord Shree Jagannath on dates/'tithis' not sanctioned in our sacred scriptures'. He also attached documents of some of the announcements in this regard posted by ISKCON temples. Deb pointed out out that such deviations are being made by ISKCON temples in New York City, Calgary and Leicester. In his letter, Deb mentioned that 'learned scholars of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (Puri) have thoroughly scrutinised the views put forward by ISKCON scholars at the meeting held at Bhubaneswar on March 20, 2025.' The scholars had reiterated their definite and firm conclusion that 'Snana Yatra' was to be celebrated only on Jyestha Poornima Tithi (that is, June 11 this year), while Rath Yatra (that is, Gundicha Yatra and Bahuda Yatra) would be performed only within the auspicious nine days from Asadha Shukla-paksha Dwitiya Tithi (that is, June 27 this year) to Asadha Shukla-paksha Dashami Tithi (that is, July 5 this year)', the letter mentioned. 'Performance of these most sacred yatras of the Lord Jagannath on any other tithi/date will be a violation of our sacred scriptures and ancient traditions,' the titular king of Puri said. In the letter to the ISKCON authorities, Deb, who is the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, also said, 'The detailed explanations in this matter submitted by our scholars will be sent to you shortly.'
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Puri temple panel urges ISKCON not to violate Rath Yatra traditions
Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee in Odisha's Puri has written to the ISKCON, urging it to ensure that Lord Jagannath's ceremonial bathing rituals and the Rath Yatra across the world are performed on the specific date sanctioned by scriptures and not to violate traditions. Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb of Puri, the chairman of the committee, expressed displeasure over some of the ISKCON temples across the world performing the sacred bathing rituals ('Snana Yatra') and the Rath Yatra on various dates, and alleged that such practices "violate the scriptures and the Hindu calendar". In a letter to Shree Govardhan Das Prabhu, chairman of ISKCON Governing Body Commission, Mayapur, Deb said, I request your good self to ensure that no ISKCON temple or centre anywhere in the world performs the 'Snana Yatra' or 'Ratha Yatra' of Lord Shree Jagannath on a date/tithi not sanctioned by scriptures and traditions." Deb also claimed that the temples of the ISKCON authorities outside India are "celebrating the 'Snana Yatra' (bathing rituals) and the Rath Yatra of Lord Shree Jagannath on dates/'tithis' not sanctioned in our sacred scriptures". He also attached documents of some of the announcements in this regard posted by ISKCON temples. He pointed out that such deviations are being made by ISKCON temples in New York City, in Calgary and in Leicester. In his letter, Deb mentioned that "learned scholars of Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (Puri) have thoroughly scrutinised the views put forward by ISKCON scholars at the meeting held at Bhubaneswar on March 20, 2025." The scholars had reiterated their definite and firm conclusion that 'Snana Yatra' was to be celebrated only on Jyestha Poornima Tithi (that is, June 11 this year), while Ratha-yatra (that is, Gundicha Yatra and Bahuda Yatra) would be performed only within the auspicious nine days from Asadha Shukla-paksha Dwitiya Tithi (that is, June 27 this year) to Asadha Shukla-paksha Dashami Tithi (that is, July 5 this year)", the letter mentioned. Performance of these most sacred yatras of the Lord Jagannath on any other tithi/date will be a violation of our sacred scriptures and ancient traditions, the titular king of Puri said. In the letter to the ISKCON authorities, Deb, who is the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, also said, "The detailed explanations in this matter submitted by our scholars will be sent to you shortly. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Puri temple body moves to trademark sacred terms as Odisha opposes West Bengal's use of ‘Jagannath Dham'
The Odisha government, under Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, has initiated steps to obtain trademark rights over terms closely tied to the heritage and spiritual identity of the Jagannath Temple in Puri. This move comes amidst a growing dispute with the West Bengal government after it named a temple in Digha as 'Jagannath Dham'. The effort is seen as a measure to protect the sanctity of the temple and ensure that specific religious terms are not used elsewhere inappropriately. Trademark to safeguard religious terms The proposal to secure trademark rights was finalised during a recent meeting of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC), chaired by the Puri Maharaja, Dibyasingha Deb. Attendees included the temple's chief administrator, the district collector, and senior police officials. While the full list is yet to be finalised, officials have confirmed that words like Shree Jagannath Dham, Srimandir, Mahaprasad, Nilachal Dham, and Bada Danda are among the terms identified for legal protection. Arabinda Padhee, the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), stated, 'This will help prevent misuse of the 12th-century temple's original spiritual identity and unauthorised use of its sacred terminology.' The dispute over 'Jagannath Dham' naming The conflict intensified after the West Bengal government, led by Mamata Banerjee, chose to name a new temple in Digha as 'Jagannath Dham'. Odisha authorities maintain that this term refers exclusively to the Puri temple, one of Hinduism's four sacred dhams. The issue was also raised by the Puri Maharaja during the temple committee meeting. He expressed concern that the use of the name by West Bengal violated long-standing religious practices. 'The West Bengal government cannot use the term 'Jagannath Dham' for their temple at Digha. This is against Hindu scriptures and the age-old tradition of Lord Jagannath,' he said. Rumours had surfaced claiming that excess sacred neem wood from the Puri temple's Nabakalebara ceremony was used to create idols for the Digha temple. Both Odisha and West Bengal have denied such speculation. Digha's Jagannath Temple stands as a serene yet powerful symbol of spiritual heritage. Its towering presence invites every soul to pause, reflect, and witness beauty woven in faith! #JoyJagannath Odisha CM urges reconsideration Earlier this month, Odisha CM Mohan Majhi wrote to Mamata Banerjee requesting that the West Bengal government reconsider using the term for the Digha temple. In his letter, Majhi noted that the term holds deep religious value and using it for a different location could hurt the sentiments of millions of devotees. He also highlighted that Bengal contributes significantly to tourism in Puri. In 2023 alone, out of 97.25 lakh domestic tourists, over 13.59 lakh were from West Bengal. Speaking to The Times of India, Majhi reiterated that Puri's religious position cannot be duplicated. 'It is one of the Char Dhams, established since the time of Adi Shankaracharya. No one, including any political leader, can replicate or shift that faith,' he moves to trademark Puri temple terms to preserve sanctity amid growing dispute over naming rights with West Bengal.
India Today
27-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Odisha to go for trademark shield for Jagannath temple amid row with Bengal
The BJP-led Odisha government has decided to secure trademark rights for certain words and logos associated with the iconic Jagannath Mandir in Puri amid a running feud with Bengal after it named a newly built temple 'Jagannath dham'.While the final list of words is being finalised, an official said the terms like Shree Jagannath Dham (place), Srimandir (temple), mahaprasad (bhog), nilachal (Puri also known as Nilachal) dham, bada danda (the main route to the temple) would be patented, PTI emotions I felt during the inauguration of the Jagannath Temple in Digha are beyond sacred space belongs to our Ma, Mati, Manush, and has been brought to life through the collective efforts of the HIDCO team, local residents, artists, industrialists, and devotees Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 30, 2025advertisementThe decision was taken at a recent meeting of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) that was chaired by Dibyasingha Deb, the maharaja of Puri, and was attended by the 12th-century shrine's chief administrator, district collector and top police officers. Confirming the development, SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee said the trademark decision was taken to protect the cultural, religious and spiritual identity of the Puri temple."This will help prevent misuse of the 12th century temple's original spiritual identity and unauthorised use of its sacred terminology," PTI quoted Padhee as IS THE ROW?At the centre of the row is the Mamata Banerjee-led Bengal government's move to name the newly built temple in Digha as 'Jagannath dham'.The Mohan Majhi-led Odisha government has argued that 'Jagannath dham' could only be used to refer to the Puri temple - one of India's four sacred 'dhams' - issue was also brought up by the Puri maharaja during the temple committee meeting."The West Bengal government cannot use the term 'Jagannath Dham' for their temple at Digha. This is against Hindu scriptures and the age-old tradition of Lord Jagannath," PTI quoted Dibyasingha Deb as was also speculation that surplus sacred neem wood from the Nabakalebara ceremony at the Puri temple was used to create idols for West Bengal's Jagannath temple. However, both states have rejected such MAJHI'S LETTER TO MAMATA BANERJEEThe Odisha Chief Minister also wrote to his Bengal counterpart earlier this month, urging the government to reconsider using the term 'Jagannath Dham' for the Digha his letter, Majhi said using the term for any other temple or location other than the one in Puri hurts the sentiments of millions of devotees - a majority of whom are from fact, Bengal accounts for a substantial portion of the tourist footfall to Puri. According to the latest government data, in 2023, of the 97.25 lakh domestic tourists who visited Puri, the largest number, 13.59 lakh, or 14%, were from the first BJP Chief Minister of Odisha, also made it clear in his latest interview with TOI that Puri was the abode of Lord Jagannath and was the only Jagannath Dham."It is one of the Char Dhams, established since the time of Adi Shankaracharya. No one, including any political leader, can replicate or shift that faith," he told Reel
NDTV
27-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Odisha To Patent Words Linked To Jagannath Temple Amid Fight With Bengal
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has announced to secure trademark rights for various words and phrases that are associated with the Jagannath Temple in Puri amid an ongoing dispute over a newly-inaugurated temple in West Bengal. The West Bengal government's reference to the temple in Bigha as "Jagannath Dham", a term historically and scripturally reserved for the 12th-century temple in Puri, has met with strong objections from religious scholars, priests and politicians in Odisha. Arabinda Padhee, a Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) official, said on Monday that they will soon apply for patent terms like Mahaprasad (bhog), Srimandir (temple), Shree Jagannath Dham (place), Shreekshetra (place), and Purushottam Dham (place), among others. "This will help prevent misuse of the 12th century's original spiritual identity and unauthorised use of its sacred terminology," Mr Padhee, an IAS officer, told reporters. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the 'Jagannath Dham' on April 30. Ms Banerjee has defended the use of the name 'Jagannath Dham' and blamed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the controversy, describing it as 'jealousy'. "I have heard that the Daitapati has been questioned for coming to conduct the puja here. They have issued a notification asking them not to come to Jagannath Dham (in West Bengal). Why are they so irked? We all go to Puri. We never question. When I go to Puri, the BJP protests. Why so much jealousy over the Jagannath Dham? When you fall short of potatoes, Bengal supplies. I love Odisha," she said this month. Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan has said they are planning to take legal steps in the matter, calling it a case of 'title theft'. "The whole world and all the devotees of Lord Jagannath are condemning the cunning way of the title theft initiative. If things will not be resolved properly, we will take legal steps in a bid to protect the Jagannath culture. We are reviewing the matter," Mr Harichandan said. The temple at Digha has been built at a cost of Rs 250 crore and is a replica of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, which is recognized as one of the four dhams (holy places) in India.
