Odisha to Trademark Jagannath Temple Terms Amid Naming Row with Bengal

The BJP-led Odisha government has moved to secure trademark rights over key terms and symbols associated with the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri, in a bid to protect its cultural and religious identity. The move comes amid an ongoing row with the West Bengal government over the naming of a new temple in Digha as 'Jagannath Dham'.

Officials say words like Shree Jagannath Dham, Srimandir, Mahaprasad, Nilachal Dham, and Bada Danda — all closely tied to the 12th-century shrine in Puri — are among the terms the state plans to legally trademark. The decision was made during a recent meeting of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC), chaired by Dibyasingha Deb, the titular Maharaja of Puri, and attended by senior officials, including the temple’s chief administrator and local police and district leaders.

“This step is aimed at preventing the unauthorised use or misuse of sacred terminology and protecting the temple’s spiritual and cultural legacy,” said Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).

The trademark move follows a sharp dispute sparked by the West Bengal government’s decision to name a newly constructed temple in Digha ‘Jagannath Dham’. Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has objected strongly, arguing that the term ‘Jagannath Dham’ is historically and spiritually exclusive to Puri — one of Hinduism’s four Char Dhams — and cannot be used for any other temple.

The issue was also raised by Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb during the SJTMC meeting. “The West Bengal government cannot use the term ‘Jagannath Dham’ for their Digha temple. It goes against Hindu scriptures and the ancient tradition of Lord Jagannath,” he said.

Adding to the tensions were rumours that sacred neem wood left over from the Nabakalebara ritual — during which the deities’ idols are renewed — had been used in constructing idols for the Digha temple. However, both state governments have dismissed these claims.

Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has written a formal letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to reconsider the decision to name the newly built Digha temple ‘Jagannath Dham’. In the letter, Majhi expressed concern that using the sacred name for a temple outside Puri has deeply hurt the sentiments of countless devotees — many of whom, he pointed out, are from Bengal itself and share a strong emotional and spiritual connection with the original Jagannath Dham in Puri.

Indeed, West Bengal sends the largest number of tourists to Puri — over 13.5 lakh of the 97.25 lakh domestic visitors in 2023, accounting for about 14% of the total footfall.

In a recent interview, Majhi reiterated his stance, saying, “Puri is the original and only Jagannath Dham. It has been part of the Char Dham pilgrimage since the time of Adi Shankaracharya. No political leader or state can replicate or replace that sacred status.”