Acres of land restored to Lord Jagannath in a week as landmark orders continue

Puri, Nov 1: In a major boost to the protection and restoration of Shree Jagannath Temple properties, another valuable parcel of land has been restored to the temple’s ownership following a favourable ruling.

The latest decision pertains to nearly 28 acres of land in Sankarpur mouza of Puri, estimated to be worth around Rs 450 crore.

Following the order, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has demarcated the land and erected red flags and information boards, formally marking the property as belonging to Lord Jagannath.

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Officials said the ruling was delivered in favour of the temple based on decisions upheld by the Board of Revenue and consolidation authorities.

The development comes amid a series of landmark rulings that have helped reclaim valuable temple properties across Puri district. Over the past week alone, nearly 83 acres of land have reportedly been restored to the temple's ownership.

Earlier, around 11 acres of land in Konark and approximately 45 acres in Samanga were also brought back under the temple’s control after favourable legal outcomes.

The latest recovery involves 28.84 acres of land in Shankarpur that had been under the possession of Uttar Parswa Math. Following the verdict, the Puri Tehsildar has been directed to make necessary corrections in the land records in accordance with historical records dating back to 1977.

District authorities said efforts to identify and recover Jagannath Temple properties are continuing across multiple tehsils. According to the Puri Collector, nearly 2,000 acres of land have been restored to the deity’s name in recent months under various revenue jurisdictions.

While the recovery of temple land is expected to significantly enhance the temple’s revenue generation, questions have also been raised regarding individuals who have been in possession of some of these lands for decades.

Legal experts have pointed out that under relevant provisions, long-term occupants may be eligible for settlement subject to prescribed conditions and payment norms.