Orissa Review June - 2009
Administrative Arrangements of
Shree Jagannath Temple
Dr. D.P. Choudhury
Introduction Orissa Act XIV of 1952 was enacted to provide
Lord Shree Jagannath is the deity well recognized for the administration of the Puri Shree Jagannath
not only in India but also in abroad. His Almighty Temple preventing mis-management of the
has power of vision to see, power of hear, power Temple and its Endowments by consultation of
of judgment to decide, power of speaking to the rights and duties of Sevaks, Pujaris and such
communicate and the powers what not. It is other persons connected with the Seva Puja and
believed that the Hindus worship Lord Jagannath management . Such act came into force from 05th
but He is so broad that He reaches to the people September 1952 vide Notification No.6105
of other religions. We may be miser to keep in dt.5.9.1952. There are altogether nine sections
confined within our hearts, but his Almighty goes under this earstwhile Puri Shree Jagannath Temple
beyond any body's sole and imagination. He is (Administration) Act.1952. This is the first
God to bring up human beings. He is omnipresent, legislation made by the Orissa Legislative
kindles light to focus every living beings. Without Assembly after a debate on 09th July, 1952.
Him, the world is full of worries, disturbances, Under this Act, 'endowment' means all property
unhappiness and various ailments. When He is belonging to or given or endowed for the support
so kind, great, stable and full of peace, it is our of the Temple or given or endowed for the
duty to serve Him as a servant. performance of any service including the service
of offerings to the deity or charity connected
Evolution of Legislation therewith and includes the institution concerned
Taking cue from the purity of the services and also the premises thereof, but does not include
to be rendered to Lord Jagannath, the gifts of property made as personal gifts to the
Government, the people thought to streamline all Sevak, Pujari or other employees of the Temple.
nitikanti and seva puja of Lord Jagannath, Maa Also under this Act, the 'Specific endowment'
Subhadra and Shri Balabhadra sitting on the alter means any property or money endowed for the
inside the sanctum of the Temple. It is the king of performance of any specific service or charity in
Khurda and later on became the king of Puri was the Temple. This Act also defines 'Temple' means
managing the Temple and the Endowments of the temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri, other temples
Lord Jagannath. As there was mis-management, within its premises, all their appurtenant and
the Puri Shree Jagannath Temple Act,1952 vide subordinate shrines, other sacred places and tanks
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Orissa Review June - 2009
and any additions which may be made thereto Rules, 1952. Under this Rule, the Special Officer
after the commencement of this Act. Under appointed under the above Act should be a
section 3 of this Act, a Special Officer of Hindu member of the Orissa Judicial Service Class-I and
religion was appointed by the State Government the officer assisted should be a member of the
for preparation of record, consolidating the rights Subordinate Judicial Service Class-I and II. Under
and duties of different Sevaks and Pujaris and this rule, the record of Temple will consist of
such other persons connected with the Seva, Puja record of all nitis, compulsory routine ceremonies
or management of the Temple and its and rituals, daily periodicals festives for the
endowments. Besides this officer, there was Temple, the record of right and duties of different
provision to appoint a good number of officers to Sevaks, Pujaris and other persons employed have
assist him. At first the Special Officer will issue or connected with Seva puja and management of
special notice requiring Sevaks, Pujaris with the the Temple and a record of various sources of
persons engaged with Seva Puja of the Temple income of Temple and its endowments. As such,
or such other persons to whom the Special Officer there are provisions enshrined in the rules how to
thinks fit to appoint before him within the specified prepare the record of right concerning those
time and produce documents of information as above subjects, method of conducting enquiry,
and when required by such Officer. The record maintenance of the registers or documents. Also
or part thereof so prepared from time to time by it has maintained in the rule to allow allowances
the Special Officer shall be published in the to the witnesses attending the enquiry.
prescribed manner and such publication of such From the foregoing discussed, it is clear
record or part thereof in the gazette shall be final that the legislation have clear intention to prepare
and shall not be called in question in any court of the record of rights to streamline the nitikanti,
law. Any person aggrieved by any entry or part sevapuja and management of Shree Jagannath
thereof may prefer an appeal before the District Temple and accordingly, the Judicial authorities
Judge at Puri. The District Judge or other Judicial have been deployed for better enquiry and
Officers of the rank of District Judge after hearing disposal of the objects in conformity with the aims
the parties, communicate his orders to the State and objects to frame such Act and to see that
Government and cause the modification, if any, Lord Jagannath is not discomforted in any
to be published in the gazette and on such manner. On the other hand, there should not be
publication the record stands modified mis-management in the affairs connected with the
accordingly. Under this Act, there is a provision deity.
under section 8 to punish a person if any person
fails to comply the requirements of special notice The aforesaid Act and Rules only
issued by the Special Officer while exercising the bestowed their attention towards preparation of
power under that Act. The Punishment is fine not record of rights and performance of Seva Puja of
exceeding Rs.500/- and in case of continued the deity. The Management still did not improve.
offence to fine not exceeding Rs.50/- during the It is needless to say that the ancient Temple of
period of continuous offence. Thus, there are all Lord Jagannath of Puri ever since its inception
together nine sections under this Act. Under this been an institution of unique national importance
Act, the State Government have power to frame in which millions of Hindu devotees from regions
rule for which Jagannath Temple Administration far and wide have reposed their faith and belief
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Orissa Review June - 2009
and have regarded it as the epitome of their The salient features of this Act, 1955 is to
tradition and culture. It may not be out of place bring different reforms so far the affairs connected
to mention that after the British conquest the with the temple. This Act also recognizes the
superintendence, control and management of the Record of Right prepared under Shree Jagannath
affairs of the Temple have been the direct concern Temple Act, 1952.
of successive Rulers, Governments and their This Act also underwent changes and the
officers and of the public exchequer. Of course last amendment was made in 2004. There are all
by Regulation IV of 1809 passed by the Governor together 5 chapters under this Act. It is better to
General in Council on 28th April l809 and explain the provisions relating administrative
thereafter by other laws and regulations and in changes under this act.
pursuance of arrangement entered into with the
Raja of Puri and the said Raja came to be Administrative Reforms
entrusted hereditarily with the management of the In the earlier Shree Jagannath Temple Act,
affairs of the Temple and its properties as 1952, there was no committee. But in the new
Superintendent subject to control and supervision legislation, Government has substituted a
of the ruling power. But the administration under Committee called "Shree Jagannath Temple
the Superintendent became deteriorated and a Management Committee" constituted under
situation has arisen rendering it expedient to section 6 of the new Act. This Act became the
reorganize the scheme of management of the supreme of the Temple Administration. It consists
affairs of the Temple and its properties and of Raja of Puri as Chairman and an officer not
provide better administration and governance below the rank of Addl. Chief Secretary, Ex-
therefore in supersession of all previous laws, officio member who shall be the Working
regulations and arrangements having regard to the Chairman, Chief Administrator, Ex-officio
ancient customs and usages and the unique and member who shall be Secretary, Collector of the
traditional nitis and rituals contained in the Record District of Puri as Ex-officio member, the Addl.
of Rights prepared under the above Act, 1952. Secretary of Law Department in charge of Shree
Development of Legislative Changes Jagannath Temple Administration, Ex-officio
member, the Commissioner of Endowment
Another Act namely; Shree Jagannath appointed under Orissa Hindu Religious
Temple Act,1955 was enacted repealing the Endowment Act.1951 as Ex-officio member, the
Orissa Hindu Religious Endowment Act, 1951 Superintendent of Police, Puri as Ex-officio
which was the controlling affairs of Lord Jagannath member, Superintendent, Archologist of
till then save and except the application of Archological Survey of India at Bhubaneswar as
provisions of Shree Jagannath Temple Act,1952. Ex-officio member, a person to be nominated by
This Act was assented by President of India on the State Govt. from among the persons sitting
15.10.1955 published in Orissa Gazette on on the Mukti Mandap as member, one person
4.11.1956. At first, section 123 were made representing from Maths and other institutions
operational whereas rest of the provisions came connected with Seva puja or Niti of the Temple
into force on 27th October, l960 having been or any Hindu Religious Institutions to be
published in the Orissa Gazette Extraordinary nominated by the State Government as member,
issue No.670 dt.25th October. 1960. five persons to be nominated by State Govt. from
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Orissa Review June - 2009
among the Sevaks of the Temple as members and is seized to render the service for the
3 persons (one of them should be Chartered performance for which such building or
Accountant) from among other categories of room was allotted or if such service is
persons. It is clearly mentioned that all these absolute and to do all such things as may
members should profess Hindu religion. The be incidental and conducive to the efficient
Committee can also co-opt other persons as management of the affairs of the Temple
member, but not exceeding 4 in numbers. The and its endowments or to the convenience
duties of this Committee is - of the pilgrims.
(l) to arrange proper performance of seva It appears the Committee has been
puja and of the daily and periodical nitis of entrusted the duty right from performance of Niti
the Temple in accordance with the Record till all sorts of preservation of properties of the
of Right. Temple. In order to carry out such duties, the
(2) to provide facilities for proper performance Committee has power to constitute a Sub-
of worship by the pilgrims. committee. The working Chairman has been
entrusted the duty to ensure the resolution passed
(3) to ensure the safe custody of the funds, by the Committee are properly implemented and
valuables, securities and jewelries and for to ensure proper coordination among the Temple
preservation and management of the administration, District administration and the
properties vested in the Temple, State Government in the administrative affairs of
(4) to ensure maintenance of order, discipline the Temple. Not only but also the Chief
and proper hygienic conditions in the Administrator and under him the Dy. Chief
Temple, Administrator and other officers of different ranks
of All India Service or State Govt. Service will
(5) to ensure that fund of the specific and
be appointed to assist the Chief Administrator.
religious endowments are spent according
The Chief Administrator has been assigned the
to the wishes so far as may be known as
responsibility for the custody of all the records
donors',
and properties of the Temple and shall arrange
(6) to make provision for payment of suitable for proper collection of offerings made in the
emoluments to its salaried staff, Temple and shall have power to appoint an officer
(7) to arrange for preparation of list of and employee of the Temple, to lease out any
immovable properties endowed to Lord land or building of the Temple for a period not
Jagannath and Trust created for offering of exceeding 3 years, to undertake any work or
bhog or performance of seva in the emergency repairs, to decide the disputes with
Temple, regard to collection, distribution or apportionment
of offerings, fees and other receipts in cash and
(8) to prepare and implement the schemes with also in respect of seva puja and nitis, whether
prior approval of State Government to ordinary or special in nature. It is his duty to get
generate income of the Temple, the niti and seva puja performed according to
(9) to take steps for preservation of any Record of Right by any other person in absence
building or room situated within the of sevak or substitute or failure on the part of any
premises of Temple from any person who person to perform his duty. He has also power to
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Orissa Review June - 2009
issue instructions or directions from time to time attached to the Temple under suspension where
for controlling of the activities conducted and the a disciplinary proceeding initiated against him is
management of all institutions including Mukti contemplated or pending. In the recent
Mandap and Pandit Sabha functioning within the amendment of section 21(b), the Chief
premises of the Temple. Of course, he has to Administrator can also make suspension of any
obtain the approval of the Committee while Sevak, Office holder and employee if a case
exercising the power to appoint officers and against him in respect of any criminal offence is
employees of the Temple to lease out the land under investigation, enquiry or trial. Whereas the
and to take custody of all records and to Chief Administrator can suspend a Sevak if he
undertake any other work not exceeding continues any offence inside the Temple premises
Rs.50,000/- or taking possession of the valuables. or connected with the affairs of the Temple. Thus,
One officer from among the members of the Indian the provisions made in the Act are mainly aimed
Administrative Service or Orissa Administrative to proper Sevapuja and Nitikanti of the deity and
Service not below the rank of Joint Secretary will observance of festivals without any variations.
be appointed as the Administrator (Devp.) one Unless the Chief Administrator has given a handle
officer from among the officers of O.A.S(I) not under such provisions of law, it may not be
below the rank of Joint Secretary as Administrator possible for smooth management of the Temple
(Niti) and another officer from among the cadre and timely niti or seva puja of the deity. In a
of I.P.S. or O.P.S. not below the rank of democratic process, Justice Delivery System has
Additional Superintendent of Police as always protected the rights of the human being.
Administrator (Security). Thus, the Administrators So when a person feels aggrieved against any
being senior most officers are to look after three administrative order passed by the Chief
major portfolios of the Temple. These are major Administrator, he can prefer an appeal before the
administrative reforms of the Temple. In order to Appellate Sub-Committee of the Temple which
have effective management of the Temple under consists of the Working Chairman who shall be
section 21(a), all Sevaks, Office holders and its Chairman and two other members elected in
employees attached to the Temple are under the the prescribed manner from the Committee from
control of the Chief Administrator and for any among the Non-Judicial members thereof.
breach of trust, incapacity, disobedience of lawful However in 2008 Section 21(b) has undergone
orders, neglect or willful absence from duty, changes. Thus, the legislation has brought a wide
disorderly behaviour or conduct derivative to the administrative reforms in the affairs of Shree
discipline or dignity of the Temple or for any other Jagannath Temple, Puri.
sufficient cause. The Chief Administrator can
withdraw receipt of emoluments or perquisites,
impose a fine of an amount exceeding Rs.200/-,
suspend or dismiss any of Sevaks, Office holders
and employees attached to the Temple. Besides,
under section 21(b), the Chief Administrator may Dr. D.P. Choudhury is working as Addl. Secretary, Law
place any Sevak, Office holder and employee Department, Government of Orissa, Bhubaneswar
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