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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Political slugfest goes on as BJD leader Naveen expresses concern on Rath Yatra delay, BJP counters
BHUBANESWAR: The chariots of the holy Trinity reaching the Gundicha temple notwithstanding, there was no abatement in the political slugfest on the issue even on Saturday. Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik called for a deep introspection by all in the government over the 'terrible mess' which overshadowed the Rath Yatra this year. The former chief minister, who is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mumbai, said in a post on X, 'We are not here to point fingers or blame the administration for yesterday's inordinate delay in pulling the Nandighosha chariot. But it is impossible not to voice our deep concern and anguish over how things unfolded during the most sacred event in our state.' He recalled last year's incident in which Lord Balabhadra's idol slipped during Adapa Bije pahandi. 'And now this year, we witnessed Nandighosha ratha still standing at the Singhadwar till 7.45 pm, only to move a few metres before the day ended', he said. Former OPCC president Prasad Harichandan demanded a judicial probe by the district judge of Puri. BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal described the statements as politically-motivated. Stating that much more serious incidents occured when the BJD was in power, Biswal said there was even lathi charge on devotees during a Rath Yatra. In another, the deities remained without bhog on the chariots. He also pointed towards the mismanagement during the Nabakalebara festival during the regional party's government. Biswal alleged that BJD's criticism exposes the party's mentality which tried to destroy Jagannath culture when it was in power. 'Despite the massive turnout of devotees, much more than the pervious years, no non-servitor was seen on the chariots as was usual during BJD rule. The BJP government has also ensured an incident-free Rath Yatra this year and deserves compliment,' he said.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Collector preserves Jagannath heritage through stamps and envelopes
1 2 3 4 Bhubaneswar: In the heart of Bhubaneswar, collector Samaranjan Mohanty houses a unique treasure — a remarkable collection of postal stamps and envelopes that chronicle the rich cultural heritage of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. His collection serves as a philatelic shrine, documenting the divine journey of Puri's beloved deity through official postal releases. The collection shows the postal department's dedication to preserving and promoting Jagannath culture. Mohanty plans to showcase his collection during this year's Rath Yatra. From the iconic Rs 5 stamp of the Jagannath Temple released in 2003 to the intricate Rs 20 embroidery stamp of 2019, each piece tells a different facet of the Lord's story and that of the Srimandira of Puri. "These stamps are more than just postal items. They are the windows into our cultural heritage," Mohanty, who also preserved a special envelope featuring rasagola, the divine sweet offering to Lord Jagannath, which happens to be His favourite, said. Mohanty's collection also includes the commemorative stamp of the sacred Nabakalebara ritual that happened in 2015, when the idols of the holy trinity were ceremoniously replaced with newly carved ones, and the vibrant Rath Yatra stamp, capturing the grandeur of India's biggest chariot festival. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cuối cùng, chơi miễn phí game chiến thuật hay nhất 2025! Sea of Conquest Undo What makes this collection truly special is the educational value it carries. Students from various schools and colleges from across the city regularly visit to learn about their cultural heritage through these miniature art pieces. The collection also features 11 unique stamps illustrating the 10 incarnations from Jayadeva's Gita Govinda. Jayadeva was a 12th-century Sanskrit poet and composer, best known for his epic work 'Gita Govinda', the Lord's favourite musical composition. Adding a unique touch to his collection, Mohanty also preserves rare matchboxes adorned with images of the holy trinity and the Puri Srimandira. "Each item in this collection helps preserve our connection to Lord Jagannath's traditions," he added. Through this philatelic journey, Mohanty not only preserves history but also helps younger generations understand the deep-rooted cultural significance of Lord Jagannath in Odisha's heritage.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Digha temple driven by business interest: Puri Shankaracharya
A day before the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Puri Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati on Thursday said the Jagannath temple constructed at Digha, West Bengal, by the Mamata Banerjee government lacked religious sanctity and was driven more by commercial interests than spiritual devotion. Speaking to reporters in Puri, the Hindu spiritual leader said: 'The highest number of devotees visiting Puri come from West Bengal. They occupy most of the hotels, and the local economy of Puri largely revolves around these devotees. Even many traditional priests depend on pilgrims from Bengal.' Mr. Saraswati said, 'The intention of Mamata Banerjee appears to ensure that the flow of income remains within West Bengal, rather than benefiting Odisha. There is no real sense of religiosity here — it is all about money.' The recently constructed Jagannath temple in the coastal town of Digha and its consecration ceremony held a couple of months ago has stirred a controversy. The Odisha government, along with cultural and religious organisations, had objected to the naming of the Digha complex as Jagannath Dham, arguing that the title 'Dham' is traditionally reserved for Puri, one of the four most sacred pilgrimage sites of Hindus. Further controversy emerged over the use of neem wood for crafting the idols at the Digha temple. Allegations surfaced claiming that leftover neem wood from Puri's Nabakalebara ceremony had been diverted for use in the Digha temple. However, an investigation by the Odisha government found no evidence of any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, three majestic chariots have been placed in front of the 12th Century temple. Over a million devotees are likely to turn up for the annual celebration on Friday.
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Miffed Odisha to apply for Jagannath patents amid spar with Bengal over deity
The Jagannath temple in the coastal city of Puri is a beacon of spiritual and cultural identity. This 12th-century shrine, dedicated to the revered deity, Jagannath, is not just a religious site but a cornerstone of Odia heritage, drawing millions of pilgrims annually. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Mohan Majhi last week announced that it would seek patents or trademarks for terms intrinsically tied to the temple, including 'Jagannath Dham,' 'Srimandir,' 'Mahaprasad,' and the temple's logo. The announcement came a month after a controversy erupted After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated a Jagannath temple in Digha – a coastal town some 350 km from Puri -- and named it Jagannath dham. The controversy further intensified as Banerjee referred the new temple as 'Jagannath Dham', sparking widespread criticism because 'Dham' is a sacred designation traditionally linked to Puri, as per revered Hindu spiritual leader Adi Shankaracharya's designation of four Dhams (Puri, Badrinath, Dwarka, Rameswaram). Majhi shot off a letter to Banerjee asking her to desist from naming the Digha temple as Jagannath Dham. Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati publicly denounced the decision, alleging that it exploits the diety's name for commercial gain. Puri's king Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb said the nomenclature used for the Digha temple has deeply hurt the sentiments of devotees. 'Terms like Nilachal Dham, Shreekhetra, Srimandir, and Jagannath Dham have always been exclusively associated with the sacred temple in Puri,' he said. The controversy also deepened over a senior servitor of the temple claiming that surplus neem wood from the 2015 Nabakalebara ceremony at Puri temple was used to create idols for the Digha temple. Though a subsequent probe found the claim untrue, the servitor has been debarred from entering the temple for a month as he attended the consecration process of the Jagannath temple in Digha. Can sacred terms be patented? The Odisha government's move has sparked a debate whether sacred words, steeped in centuries of devotion, can, or should, be patented by a state. The Odisha government's initiative aims to protect the cultural and spiritual identity of the Jagannath temple by trademarking terms that define its rituals and offerings. According to Sri Jagannath Temple Administration chief Arabinda Padhee, patenting these terms is a 'legal measure aimed at preserving the sanctity, heritage, and unique identity of the Jagannath Temple'. The terms in question—such as 'Jagannath Dham' (the sacred abode of Lord Jagannath), 'Srimandir' (the temple itself), and 'Mahaprasad' (the sanctified food offered to the deity)—are deeply embedded in Odia culture. The move is also shaped by electoral politics. The BJP, which came to power in Odisha a year ago, is keen to consolidate its support among the people by championing the cause of religious identity and heritage. The dispute with West Bengal, ruled by the Trinamool Congress, allows the BJP to project itself as a defender of Odia pride and Hindu traditions, potentially strengthening its political base ahead of panchayat elections two years later. But can such terms, tied to religious tradition, be legally protected under intellectual property law? Lawyers say a patent is granted for an invention that has novelty and industrial applicability which means, if a thing or product or process is already existing, patent cannot be granted to it. Patents are for inventions. 'The Trade Marks Act, 1999 prohibits registration of marks that hurt religious sentiments or lack distinctiveness. Courts have historically ruled that religious terms cannot be monopolised unless they acquire a secondary commercial meaning. Odisha may struggle to prove these terms are uniquely tied to commercial goods/services rather than religious practice. Even if trademarks are granted, enforcing them against entities like West Bengal's Digha temple or other religious institutions could lead to protracted litigation,' said Radha Charan Das, a senior lawyer of Orissa High Court. 'For example, terms like Mahaprasad (sacred offering) are used widely across India, complicating claims of exclusivity. If Odisha succeeds, other states might seek trademarks for shared cultural or religious terms risking legal chaos. This could also contravene Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion,' Das said. But other legal experts argue that trademarking such terms is feasible if they are proven to have a distinctive association with the Jagannath Temple. 'Odisha can argue that 'Mahaprasad' is not a generic term for any consecrated food but specifically refers to the offerings prepared under the temple's strict rituals, cooked by the Suar Mahasuar Nijog using traditional methods. Similarly, 'Jagannath Dham' could be trademarked as a unique identifier of Puri's temple, distinct from other Jagannath temples worldwide. However, the courts may hesitate to grant exclusive rights to words with broad spiritual significance as words like 'Mahaprasad' may be deemed too generic or culturally universal,' said Srikanta Das, another lawyer. 'The process of patenting or trademarking requires demonstrating that the terms are not already in widespread use without permission,' he said. Das said that the state government can at best apply GI tag for Mahaprasad like the Tirupati temple administration did for the famous Trirupati Laddoo in 2009, but it's not easy. In Puri, where the Jagannath Temple's spire casts a long shadow over the city, the Odisha government's quest to patent divinity may protect the temple's legacy, but it also raises a question: can the sacred be bound by legalese?
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.
