Shree Jagannath Temple Administration Secures Trademark Rights for Ananda Bazaar and Shree Patitapabana to Protect Sacred Heritage

Bhubaneswar: In a landmark development for the preservation of Odisha’s religious and cultural heritage, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has secured trademark protection for two prominent terms—“Ananda Bazaar” and “Shree Patitapabana”—alongside the official logo of the Mandir administration. The approval was granted by Intellectual Property India (IP India), conferring legal recognition and exclusive rights to these sacred identifiers.

This intellectual property protection is designed to prevent unauthorized commercial use of the names and logo, ensuring they remain exclusively associated with the revered 12th-century Shree Jagannath Mandir in Puri. The initiative is widely regarded as a significant step toward safeguarding the spiritual and cultural legacy of Bhagwan Jagannath and the temple’s centuries-old traditions.

With these trademark rights, the SJTA gains the authority to restrict unauthorized production, sale, marketing, distribution, or import of any products or services bearing the protected names or logo. Mandir officials emphasize that this measure is critical to maintaining the authenticity and sanctity of terms deeply intertwined with Jagannath culture and religious practices.

Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Chief Administrator of the SJTA, confirmed the recent approvals, stating that the administration had filed 29 applications for registration of various wordmarks and logomarks connected to the Mandir and its traditions. “We have received information that three of our trademark applications have been approved. These include ‘Ananda Bazaar,’ ‘Shree Patitapabana,’ and the official logo of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration,” he said.

Dr Padhee further noted that the remaining 26 applications are currently under examination by the Intellectual Property Registry. “For the remaining applications, the authorities have sought additional information. We will provide all the required details and pursue their registration successfully in the coming days,” he added.

Among the pending applications is the term “Jagannath Dham,” which has recently been the subject of public discourse concerning the use of “Dham” in connection with temples outside Puri. Dr Padhee reiterated Puri’s unique status as the original abode of Bhagwan Jagannath. “Puri is the original Peetha (abode) of Bhagwan Jagannath. The State Government has taken a formal decision to remove the word ‘Dham’ from the Jagannath Mandir at Digha. On behalf of the Shrimandir administration and the entire servitor community, we welcome this decision and express our gratitude to the government,” he said.

This trademark initiative originated from a key meeting held on May 25, 2025, chaired by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb. Odisha’s then Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and other ex officio members of the SJTA participated virtually. During the meeting, the Mandir administration resolved to seek intellectual property protection for several sacred names, rituals, and cultural expressions associated with Bhagwan Jagannath and the Shree Jagannath Mandir.

The comprehensive list of terms for trademark registration includes “Mahaprasad,” “Srimandir,” “Shree Jagannath Dham,” “Shreekshetra,” “Purushottam Dham,” among others closely linked to Jagannath traditions. SJTA officials stress that securing legal protection for these sacred terms is essential to ensure their use remains confined to appropriate religious, spiritual, and cultural contexts.

This move is expected to strengthen the legal rights of the Mandir administration and preserve the integrity of centuries-old traditions. It also reflects a broader effort to protect Odisha’s rich religious and cultural heritage from unauthorized commercial exploitation, thereby safeguarding the identity and legacy of the Jagannath tradition for future generations.