BHUBANESWAR/KOLKATA, July 13: The Odisha government has initiated steps to obtain copyright protection for the centuries-old rituals and traditions of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, a move prompted by growing concerns over perceived misuse and replication of the temple’s customs outside the state. Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb, the titular king of Puri and chairman of the temple’s managing committee, confirmed in an interview with local media that the process is underway. “The state government has already begun taking legal advice on how to proceed with copyrighting Jagannath rituals. This should be viewed from a legal perspective,” he said. The development comes amid tensions between Odisha and West Bengal over the construction of a Jagannath temple in Digha, a seaside town in Bengal, which has been referred to as “Jagannath Dham” by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government. The use of the term “Dham,” which signifies a divine abode, has drawn objections from both the Odisha government and religious authorities in Puri, who argue it violates centuries-old spiritual and cultural sanctity. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had earlier written to Banerjee expressing concerns about the naming and presentation of rituals in the Digha temple. The temple’s daily worship is currently overseen by ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), whose involvement has further intensified the controversy.
Critics, including the Shankaracharya of the Govardhan Peeth in Puri, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati, allege that ISKCON has deviated from traditional observances by conducting festivals like the Rath Yatra and Snan Yatra on dates that do not align with those observed in Puri. “Such actions are hurting the sentiments of Jagannath devotees across the world,” said Dibyasingha Deb.
“We are also in discussions with ISKCON’s headquarters in Mayapur,” he added, referring to the organisation’s global base in West Bengal’s Nadia district. “The goal is to ensure that sacred traditions are not distorted or misrepresented.”
In recent years, Odisha has sought to protect the unique identity of Jagannath worship practices, which are deeply rooted in regional customs and history. The move to copyright these rituals is seen as part of a broader attempt to prevent what authorities describe as the “misuse” or “commercial replication” of the temple’s heritage. Deb said the dispute between Odisha and West Bengal should ideally be resolved through mutual dialogue. “We are hopeful that the two state governments will engage in discussions to settle the issue. But if that does not happen, we will be compelled to consider other measures to protect our traditions.” The controversy reflects growing concerns over cultural appropriation and the need to preserve religious heritage in an era of increasing replication and globalisation of spiritual practices.
