The Orissa High Court has dismissed IA No.109 of 2024, a plea filed in a disposed-of review petition concerning land owned by Shri Jagannath Mahaprabhu Bije, Puri.
The Court upheld the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration’s (SJTA) resolution dated July 13, 2017, which proposed the construction of a guest house for pilgrims on the disputed land.
The bench emphasized that temple properties must serve the interests of the deity and devotees, aligning with the Supreme Court’s directives on temple management and asset protection. The judgment stated, “The land belongs to Lord Jagannath, a perpetual minor, and its use must prioritize public welfare over private claims.”
The guest house project is expected to provide affordable accommodation to lakhs of devotees visiting Puri, enhancing pilgrimage infrastructure while preserving the sanctity of temple assets. Advocate Shri Ananda Ch. Swain represented SJTA in the case.
Legal experts and devotees have hailed the ruling as a significant step in protecting religious heritage and ensuring that temple lands are used for the benefit of the faithful.
