Shree Jagannath Temple Administration Secures IP Rights for Iconic Names and Logos

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has achieved a significant milestone by securing intellectual property protection for several key terms and logos associated with the historic Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee confirmed on Wednesday that Intellectual Property India has granted registration for terms including “Ananda Bazar”, “Shree Patita Paban”, and “Shree Jagannath Temple Administration” (SJTA), along with their respective logos.

“We have secured intellectual property registration of some key words and logos associated with the Puri Jagannath temple. These include Ananda Bazar, Shree Patita Paban and Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). We have received confirmation in this regard from the Intellectual Property India,” Padhee told reporters.

In addition to these registrations, the temple administration has filed applications for intellectual property protection of 26 more terms linked to the shrine. Padhee stated that Intellectual Property India has requested further information on these terms and expressed confidence that registrations will be granted in due course.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by the SJTA to prevent unauthorized and commercial misuse of names, symbols, and identities intrinsically connected to one of Hinduism’s most sacred pilgrimage sites. The Jagannath Temple, dating back to the 12th century, holds immense religious, cultural, and historical significance.

Previously, the SJTA had announced plans to seek intellectual property registrations for other traditional terms such as “Srimandir”, “Jagannath Dham”, “Mahaprasad”, the Srimandir logo, “Shrikshetra”, and “Purushottam Dham”.

The urgency of these registrations increased following a controversy last year involving the naming of a newly constructed Jagannath temple in Digha, West Bengal. The shrine was named “Jagannath Dham”, which sparked objections from devotees and religious groups who argued that the term “Dham” has historically been associated exclusively with the Puri temple.

In response, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi wrote to the West Bengal government urging the removal of the word “Dham” from the Digha temple’s name. Subsequently, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Tuesday that steps would be taken to drop “Dham” from the shrine’s name.

Temple officials emphasized that securing intellectual property registrations is crucial to preserving the unique religious and cultural identity of the Puri Jagannath Temple. These protections will help safeguard the temple’s heritage against unauthorized commercial exploitation and misuse.

The SJTA’s proactive approach reflects a growing recognition of the importance of intellectual property rights in protecting cultural and religious heritage in India. By registering these terms and logos, the administration aims to maintain the sanctity and distinctiveness of the Jagannath Temple’s identity for future generations.