Puri: The Odisha Board of Revenue has ordered restoration of nearly 1.5 acres of valuable ‘Amrut Manohi’ land near Shree Gundicha Temple and Sharadabali in Puri to the records of Lord Jagannath.
The ruling came after two cases involving claims for change of ‘Kisam’ and private ownership reached the Board.
The land, located at Mouza Talabania, was originally recorded in 1889 under ‘Amrut Manohi’ status in the name of Lord Jagannath. In 2002, however, the record was altered to private names, and subsequent registered sale deeds transferred the property to individuals.
Acting suo motu under Section 32 of the Odisha Survey and Settlement Act, 1958, the Board examined the old and new records, sale deeds, and legal provisions governing temple property.
A crucial legal issue arose under Section 16(2) of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1955, which mandates prior approval from the state government before any immovable property under the temple committee’s possession can be sold or transferred.
No such approval was found in this case. The Board maintained that without proof of lawful transfer, subsequent sale deeds could not validate the defect.
Board member Satyabrata Sahu directed the settlement authorities to record the land as “Shree Jagannath Mahaprabhu Bije, Puri, through Temple Managing Committee, Amrut Manohi status.” He also instructed the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration to bring the land back under the Lord’s account.
Government Advocate Ambika Prasad Mishra represented Lord Jagannath’s interests, firmly arguing for protection of temple property.
The decision sets a significant precedent for safeguarding ‘Amrut Manohi’ lands and reaffirms that Lord Jagannath’s original ownership cannot be altered merely through later records, mutations, or sale deeds.
