The Odisha government is moving forward with plans to trademark several words and logos associated with the revered Puri Jagannath Temple. This decision comes amidst a dispute with the West Bengal government regarding the naming of a newly constructed temple in Digha as "Jagannath Dham". Odisha asserts that this term should be exclusively reserved for the 12th-century shrine in Puri, which is one of Hinduism's four holiest 'dhams'.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), which oversees the affairs of the Puri temple, has resolved to seek intellectual property rights for key terms and symbols linked to the temple's rituals and identity. These terms include "Shree Jagannath Dham," "Srimandir" (temple), "Mahaprasad" (the sacred food offering), "Shreekhetra," "Purushottam Dham," "Nilachal Dham," "Bada Danda" (the main avenue leading to the temple) and the temple's logo. The aim is to protect the cultural, religious, and spiritual identity of the Puri temple and prevent the unauthorized use of its sacred terminology.
According to Arabinda Padhee, the chief administrator of SJTA, trademarking these terms is a legal measure to preserve the temple's heritage. He stated that this step would prevent the misuse of the temple's original spiritual identity and unauthorized use of its sacred terminology. Once the trademark rights are secured, any unauthorized use of these terms will be considered a violation and invite legal action. The SJTA will soon approach the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which oversees the application process. The state government is also gathering necessary documents and historical evidence to support its claims.
The decision to seek trademark protection was made at a recent meeting of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC), chaired by Dibyasingha Deb, the Maharaja of Puri. The meeting was attended by the temple's chief administrator, district collector, and top police officers. Dibyasingha Deb has emphasized the importance of preserving the exclusivity of the Jagannath tradition. He stated that while they support new Jagannath temples worldwide, they should adhere to the traditions and culture of the main temple in Puri. He also asserted that the West Bengal government cannot use the term "Jagannath Dham" for their temple in Digha, as it goes against Hindu scriptures and the age-old tradition of Lord Jagannath.
The controversy arose after the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government named the newly built temple in Digha as "Jagannath Dham." Odisha has strongly objected to this, arguing that "Jagannath Dham" exclusively refers to the Puri shrine. Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Majhi, has also written to his West Bengal counterpart, urging the government to reconsider using the term for the Digha temple. Majhi stated that using the term for any other temple or location other than the one in Puri hurts the sentiments of millions of devotees, many of whom are from Bengal.
Cultural experts and religious scholars in Odisha have supported the decision to seek trademark rights. They believe that these terms are deeply rooted in ancient Hindu scriptures and are intrinsically linked to the culture and traditions involving Lord Jagannath. The absence of any existing trademark rights has limited their ability to legally challenge the use of the name "Jagannath Dham" by the Digha temple authorities.
In addition to seeking trademark protection, the SJTA is also taking steps to regulate construction around the temple and maintain its architectural integrity. Unplanned buildings that diminish the spiritual and architectural heritage of the area will be redesigned to reflect Odisha's traditional architectural style. The State's Urban and Housing Development department will be approached to formulate guidelines or a legal framework to regulate construction around the temple and the Shree Gundicha Temple. These regulations will restrict the height of buildings in these zones.
