Overview

• Odisha government has formally initiated the legal process to copyright 12th-century Jagannath temple rituals in Puri, seeking expert opinions on enforceability.
• Dialogues with ISKCON headquarters in Mayapur aim to stop overseas Rath Yatra and Snan Yatra celebrations held outside the prescribed Puri calendar.
• ISKCON vice-president Radharamn Das counters that worship practices cannot be copyrighted and argues any approval would only apply within Puri.
• The term expiration of government-nominated members on the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee has left it without quorum, prompting calls for fresh appointments.
• Odisha continues to object to the ‘Jagannath Dham’ naming of the Digha temple inaugurated by West Bengal, framing it as a breach of sacred tradition.