Odisha Rolls Out E-Portal for Jagannath Temple Land Settlement
The Odisha government has unveiled a dedicated e-portal to streamline the settlement of land belonging to Shree Jagannath Temple.
The initiative, reviewed by Law, Works and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, aims to provide legal recognition to long-time occupants of temple land, including both sevayats (servitors) and non-sevayats.
The new Shree Jagannath Temple Land Management Rules, 2026 replace older policies with a digital, time-bound system.
The portal will collect occupant data in a centralised database, integrated with existing land record systems such as Bhulekh and Bhunaksha, ensuring transparency and reducing disputes.
Officials from revenue, law, IT, and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) participated in the review meeting, highlighting the cross-departmental importance of the project.
With tens of thousands of acres of temple land identified across Odisha and beyond, the settlement process is expected to strengthen temple finances while offering clarity to generations of occupants.
The government has emphasised speed, accountability, and transparency in implementation, warning that incomplete data could replicate past inefficiencies in a digital format.
