Puri: In a major step to connect devotees worldwide with Lord Jagannath, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday launched ‘Samarpan’, the state-of-the-art digital Hundi at the Jagannath Temple Administration Office in Puri, on the eve of the holy Rath Yatra.
The initiative has been jointly developed by the Odisha Computer Application Centre under the Electronics and Information Technology Department and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration. The secure digital platform has been integrated with the official SJTA portal to enable donations with complete security and transparency.
Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said the donation money collected through this system will be used for the development and maintenance of the temple. “Digital Hundi – Samarpan is not just a technology-based innovation. It is a holy and clean bridge to connect the devotion of crores of Jagannath lovers living all over the world with the temple,” CM Majhi said.
He added that the initiative will prove to be a milestone in protecting the tradition of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and in the overall development of the temple.
Key features of ‘Samarpan’:
Easy Access: Devotees can log in through mobile number and OTP. A special web portal and mobile app have been developed for the purpose.
Multiple Payment Options: Donations can be made through UPI, internet banking, debit and credit cards, and WhatsApp.
No Minimum Limit: Devotees can donate starting from just Rs 1. Digital Receipt: Donors can download their digital receipt immediately after payment.
Tax Benefit: Donations to the ‘Repair and Renovation’ and ‘Corpus’ funds with PAN details are eligible for income tax deduction.
Digital Companion: The app will also provide temple information, daily rituals announcements, latest updates, and facility to book ‘Bhakta Nivas’ guest rooms for pilgrims visiting Puri.
The Chief Minister said the system is easy, clean and time-saving, and will allow lakhs of Jagannath devotees in India and abroad to offer seva from home.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by State Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, Puri MP Dr. Sambit Patra, Pipili MLA Ashrit Patnaik, Satyabadi MLA Om Prakash Mishra, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary (Information and Public Relations) Hemant Kumar Sharma, and Additional Chief Secretary & Chief Administrator, SJTA, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee.
