Puri: The first meeting of the newly constituted Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee concluded in Puri with several significant decisions aimed at strengthening governance, improving devotee facilities, and safeguarding the temple’s traditions and assets.
During the meeting, the minutes of the previous high-level committee meeting were read and confirmed. The new members of the management committee were formally welcomed.
In a major step, 14 sub-committees were formed to oversee various aspects of the temple’s functioning.
Among these, a dedicated Security Sub-Committee was established for the first time, chaired by Girish Murmu, with the District Collector, Superintendent of Police, and sevayats as members.
Other key committees include the Finance Committee, Treasury Committee, Appeal Sub-Committee, Sevayat Welfare Committee (chaired by the District Collector), Land Sub-Committee (chaired by the Chief Administrator), Shree Jagannath Tattva Research and Publication Sub-Committee, Project Cultural Sub-Committee (chaired by the Gajapati Maharaja), and the Shree Jagannath Temple Pension Trust Board Sub-Committee.
A Law Sub-Committee has also been constituted to propose amendments to the Shree Jagannath Temple Act. Lawyers have been appointed to safeguard temple properties.
In addition, a Policy Coordination Committee has been formed, chaired by the Policy Administrator, with nominated members from the Policy Sub-Committee.
On the issue of devotee experience, the committee discussed the introduction of queue-based darshan at Natamandap. The District Collector, SP, representatives of five sevayat groups, the Odisha Bridge Construction Corporation (OBCC), and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will jointly review the system. It was decided that rituals (niti) must remain unaffected. Queue darshan will first be introduced on a trial basis, with an SOP being prepared. The ASI has already approved air-conditioning arrangements at Natamandap.
The committee also approved the construction of a ramp at the northern gate to facilitate access for differently-abled devotees, for which a separate SOP will be prepared. Plan to operationalize a breastfeeding room within the temple premises was also discussed.
Extensive deliberations took place on the issue of ISKCON’s untimely Rath Yatra and Snana Yatra, as well as its use of the term “Jagannath Dham” for Digha.
The managing committee expressed strong displeasure and decided that a press release will be issued by Gajapati Maharaja on September 6. The matter will subsequently be forwarded to ISKCON’s governing body. The committee reaffirmed that no misuse of the term “Jagannath Dham” would be permitted.
Additionally, the managing committee approved the symbolic inclusion of a chariot wheel in the new Parliament building, highlighting the cultural significance of Lord Jagannath.
Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee, who shared details of the meeting, said the series of reforms and decisions reflected the temple administration’s commitment to balancing tradition, security, and devotee convenience.
