Amendment to the Jagannath Temple Act

In News

• Recently, the Odisha state cabinet approved amendments to the Sri Jagannath Temple Act of 1954.

Changes Post-Amendment

• Land Selling: 
  • Following the amendment, the temple administration and concerned officials now have the power to sell or lease out temple land, without any approval from the state government. 
  • Earlier, people who had occupied or were in possession of the temple land for a long period of time had to approach the state government for sale or transfer of the land.
• Decentralised Power:
  • The recent amendment approved by the state cabinet now decentralizes the power to settle land related issues of the temple. 
  • It intends to simplify issues pertaining to land owned by the Jagannath Temple. 
• Immovable property:
  • Section 16 (2) of the Act states that no immovable property taken possession of by the temple committee shall be leased out, mortgaged, sold or otherwise alienated except with the previous sanction of the State Government. 
• Power delegation: 
  • The cabinet has delegated power to temple administration and concerned officials for sale and lease of land in name of Jagannath temple.

Rationale of the move

• The existing process of land transfer under the Act is time consuming and takes almost three to four years. 
• Besides, thousands of applications under the uniform policy introduced in 2003 for registration of the land in Puri and Khurda districts have been pending with the state government. 
• The cabinet has decided to confer prompt land rights by decentralising the process. This will not only simplify the process but will make it faster as well.

Jagannath Temple Act, 1954

• History:
  • In the year 1806, the then British government had issued regulations for management of the Jagannath temple which was referred to as the Juggernaut temple by the colonial rulers. 
• Regulations: 
  • Under these regulations, pilgrims who visited the temple were expected to pay taxes. 
  • The British government was entrusted with appointing senior priests at the temple. 
• Passing of power:
  • Three years later, the powers of management of the temple were passed on to the King of Khordha while the colonial government continued to retain some control. 
  • After his death, the temple management was passed on to the queen and thereafter to their grandson. 
• Post – independence:
  • It was only after India gained Independence that the state of Odisha formally introduced the Jagannath Temple Act in the year 1952, which came into effect in 1954. 
  • The Act contains provision on:
    • land rights of the temple, 
    • duties of the sevayat, 
    • administrative powers of the Shri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, 
    • rights and privileges of the Raja of Puri and 
    • other persons connected with the management and 
    • administration of the temple.

Jagannath Puri Temple

• About
  • Located: in Odisha
  • Built in: 12th Century AD by King Anatavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
  • Also called ‘Yamanika Tirtha’ where, according to the Hindu beliefs, the power of ‘Yama’, the god of death has been nullified in Puri due to the presence of Lord Jagannath, popularly known as Lord Krishna.
  • It is one of the Dhammas (Holiest of the holy place) out of four Dhamas i.e. Puri, Dwarika, Badrinath & Rameswar, in India.
  • This temple was called the “White Pagoda” and is a part of Char Dham pilgrimages (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram).
  • The Nilachakra – or the Blue wheel perched on top of the temple is made of eight metals or ashtadhatu.
• Architectural features of the temple
  • The entire temple complex is enclosed within two concentric walls, the Kuruma Bheda (Inner wall) and the Meghnad Pachira (Wall).
  • There are four gates to the temple- 
    • Eastern ‘Singhdwara’ which is the main gate with two crouching lions, 
    • Southern ‘Ashwadwara’, 
    • Western ‘Vyaghra Dwara and 
    • Northern ‘Hastidwara’. 
  • There is a carving of each form at each gate.
  • The main entrance to the temple is through Singhadwara located on the Eastern Front of the temple with three other entrances along with the four cardinal directions.
  • The Nilachakra – Or the Blue wheel perched on top of the temple is made of eight metals or ashtadhatu.
  • The Aruna stambha– the 33 ft monolith structure pillar in front of the Singhadwar or the main entrance of the temple was originally located at the Sun Temple, Konark.
• Festivals associated
  • Devasnana Purnima: Annual bathing ritual, where the holy trinity has brought out from their sanctum, seated in a raised platform and bathed with purified water drawn from a well within the temple premises.
  • Chariot Festival: This happens during the month of June/July. During the festival, the Lord comes out to the street to greet his devotees, people irrespective of caste, creed & colour can seek his blessings.
• Features:
  • Usually in coastal areas during the day-time, the breeze blows from the sea towards the land and during evening hours it blows from the land towards the sea. But in the case of Puri it is the reverse
  • The shadow of the main dome of Jagannath temple is not visible, whatever be the time of day. Maybe an architectural feat or the Lord’s desire

 Source: IE