Puri, Aug 23: In a landmark move to support nursing mothers visiting the sacred Jagannath Temple, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has announced the establishment of a dedicated breastfeeding room within the temple premises.

The initiative comes in response to long-standing demands from devotees and aims to provide a safe, private, and hygienic space for mothers and infants.

The facility will be located near the temple’s administrative branch office and will be managed by a trained female assistant. Special attention will be given to privacy, cleanliness, and comfort, ensuring that mothers can breastfeed their children with dignity and ease during temple visits.

SJTA Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Padhee, along with other senior officials including SP Pinak Mishra and ritual administrator Jitendra Sahoo, held a detailed discussion and finalized the location for the breastfeeding room. The decision was taken on a priority basis, with instructions to departmental officers to expedite the setup.

The move has been widely welcomed by devotees and temple staff, especially women, who often face challenges while traveling with infants. The breastfeeding room is expected to benefit thousands of pilgrims who visit the temple daily.

This initiative aligns with the state government’s broader plan to establish breastfeeding centres in public spaces such as railway stations, markets, and malls, following the inauguration of Odisha’s first public breastfeeding centre in Bhubaneswar earlier this month.