Bhubaneswar: In a move to facilitate seamless donations to Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday launched the ‘Digital Hundi’, enabling devotees from across the globe to offer donations online.
The new platform was inaugurated at the Lok Seva Bhawan (State Secretariat) in Bhubaneswar, where the Chief Minister said the initiative will make it easier for devotees in India and abroad to contribute to the temple without needing to visit in person.
“I am delighted to announce the launch of this digital donation facility,” said Majhi. “Many devotees of Lord Jagannath were facing difficulties in making offerings online. With Digital Hundi, this problem has been resolved.”
The platform allows donations via QR codes, which will be made available on the official website of Shree Jagannath Temple. In collaboration with the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), interested banks can set up their own QR code kiosks outside the temple premises.
Additionally, these QR codes can be displayed in popular public locations in Puri, such as ATM counters and bank branches, ensuring secure access points for donors.
“The primary aim of the Digital Hundi is not merely to collect funds but to honour the devotion of devotees. For instance, during Rath Yatra, many devotees who cannot come to Puri still wish to make offerings. This platform enables them to do so,” the Chief Minister added.
He expressed hope that Lord Jagannath’s devotees would embrace this initiative, aligning with the vision of Digital India.
According to official sources, the system has been developed with robust security features, ensuring that donations are processed securely while preserving the sanctity of the offering.
The Shree Jagannath Temple received ₹113.02 crore in donations over the past three financial years (2021–22, 2022–23, and 2023–24), highlighting the strong sentiment of giving among devotees.
