The Puri Jagannath Temple administration announced an increase in pension benefits for sevayats, along with new measures to facilitate voluntary donations by devotees.
SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee shared the updates.
The monthly senior sevayat allowance will rise from Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 starting January 2026. In addition, the marriage assistance for Sevayat’s daughters has been enhanced from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh. These measures aim to support Sevayat families and recognise their service to the temple.
The administration also revealed plans to introduce a new donation system through ATMs. Devotees withdrawing cash in Puri will receive a message before the receipt is printed, asking if they wish to contribute voluntarily to the temple. If they agree, the donation will be deducted directly from their card. Discussions with banking authorities are underway to implement this feature.
Officials said the pension hike and marriage assistance increase reflect the temple’s commitment to the welfare of sevayats. The ATM-based donation system is designed to make contributions easier and more transparent, encouraging devotees to support temple activities.
The initiatives will take effect from January 2026, marking a significant step in strengthening sevayat welfare and modernising donation practices at the Puri Jagannath Temple.
