पुरी येथील श्री जगन्नाथ मंदिर प्रशासनाने (SJTA) बौद्धिक संपदा संरक्षणाच्या तिसऱ्या टप्प्यात 'श्रीमंदिर', 'रत्न भांडार' आणि 'श्री नाहर' या तीन...
By GT24x7 Reporter··GlobalToday24x7
In a significant move aimed at safeguarding the sacred cultural and spiritual heritage of the 12th-century shrine in Puri, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has secured intellectual property protection for three additional distinctive identities closely linked to Lord Jagannath: 'Shree Mandira', 'Ratna Bhandar', and 'Shree Nahar'. The Trade Marks Registry under Intellectual Property (IP) India has formally accepted these three wordmarks for official publication across specified statutory classes, marking the successful completion of the third operational phase of the administration’s institutional branding initiative.
The decision forms part of a structured, comprehensive legal mechanism initiated by the temple authorities to halt the rampant and unauthorized commercial monetization of terms intimately connected with the deity and rituals. Overall, the SJTA has submitted 29 applications covering prominent sacred names, symbols, and institutional assets associated with the Jagannath tradition.
Phased Progression of Trademark Registrations
The formal IP protection drive by the SJTA has been executed in distinct phases under the Trade Marks Act:
* First Phase Approvals: In the initial phase, trademark clearance was successfully obtained for 'Ananda Bajara' (the sacred food market within the temple complex), 'Patitapabana' (the iconic deity image visible at the main gate), and the official visual emblem of the 'Nilachakra'.
* Second Phase Additions: The second phase secured protections across five more sacred terms and identities, including 'Jagannath Dham', 'Shree Kshetra', 'Mahaprasada', 'Nilachakra', and 'Koili Vaikuntha'.
* Third Phase Milestone: With the latest formal acceptance of 'Shree Mandira' (registered across Classes 19 and 45), 'Ratna Bhandar' (Classes 14 and 45), and 'Shree Nahar' (the royal palace of the Gajapati Maharaja under Class 19), the number of protected identities stands at 11.
Preventing Commercial Exploitation of Sacred Heritage
According to SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Kumar Padhee, securing statutory trademark protection is essential to shield the temple’s rich socio-religious ethos. Over recent years, multiple commercial enterprises, private entities, and digital aggregators have routinely used terms such as 'Mahaprasad' and 'Ratna Bhandar' to brand retail products, hospitality ventures, and consumer goods without official mandate.
The administration clarified that obtaining intellectual property rights does not restrict public devotion or bona fide spiritual practice; rather, it provides legal standing to issue cease-and-desist notices and initiate litigation against entities that commercialize or misrepresent these sacred identities.
Legal Procedures and Ongoing Applications
The acceptance for publication by the Trade Marks Registry opens a mandatory statutory window during which the marks are advertised in the official Trade Marks Journal. Barring formal third-party oppositions, full trademark certificates will be formally issued to the temple administration.
The SJTA affirmed that it will actively pursue the remaining 18 applications under review to ensure comprehensive legal protection across all key traditional names, emblems, and rituals associated with Lord Jagannath.