Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has initiated a systematic process to recover and safeguard the vast land properties belonging to Lord Jagannath, both within and outside the state, informed Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Wednesday.
According to official estimates, Lord Jagannath owns around 58,000 acres of land. The minister said that documents for 36,000 to 37,000 acres have already been prepared, while efforts are underway to complete the documentation for the remaining land parcels.
“The government is working swiftly to assess and secure Mahaprabhu’s properties so that these assets are protected and utilized for Lord Jagannath’s purposes,” Harichandan said. The lands include properties in Puri, across Odisha, and in other states.
The move comes in the wake of a May directive from the Orissa High Court, which asked the state government to ensure robust protection of Jagannath temple properties. A bench led by Justice Sanjeev Kumar Panigrahi had directed digitization of temple records, proper mutation and transfer of land, and formulation of clear guidelines for managing these assets.
The court had also instructed revenue and land record authorities to record the temple’s properties in the name of Lord Jagannath with accuracy. It cautioned that any unlawful mutation or correction in land records must be canceled and specifically sought a review of Section 16(2) of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act.
Further, the High Court emphasized coordinated action between the Law Department and the temple administration for handling transfer, lease, and mutation of temple properties. It also ordered scrutiny of any illegal transfers or administrative irregularities, with corrective action against lapses.
The state government’s ongoing efforts mark a significant step in reclaiming and restoring the temple’s assets, ensuring their rightful use for the service of Lord Jagannath.
