Liquor, meat sales likely to be banned around Puri Jagannath Temple

In a decision aimed at enhancing the sanctity and spiritual atmosphere of the Puri pilgrimage town, the Odisha government has plans to completely ban liquor and meat sales along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) and around the country’s lone Jagannath Dham.

Also Read: Puri Administration launches ‘Shree Jagannatha Dham’ app for devotees

The move is part of a broader initiative to transform Puri into a Pilgrimage City.

Pilgrim City project with uniform architecture norms

According to sources, Puri's iconic Grand Road, which leads to the Jagannath Temple, will soon see strict restrictions on the sale of alcohol and meat. Odisha Excise and Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan announced that no liquor shops or bars will be allowed within a two-kilometre radius of the 12th-century Vaishnavite shrine.

As part of the broader initiative, the State government plans to strictly enforce architectural uniformity along the Grand Road. All buildings facing the road will need to adhere to a common height and aesthetic guideline. Preliminary work in this regard has already commenced to implement the prescribed changes, the Law Minister stated.

The overall goal is to elevate Puri town’s status as a sacred and visually harmonious city, reinforcing its spiritual identity and improving the experience for millions of devotees and visitors, official sources informed.

“No liquor shops and bars will exist within a two-kilometre radius of the Temple (Srimandir) and along the Grand Road. Sale of meat will also be prohibited. In a similar way, all buildings facing the Grand Road will be raised in a ‘common structure pattern’. We have started preliminary work to enhance the height and look of the structures,” the Minister said.

“If we come out successful, the look of Grand Road will change,”the  Law Minister added.

Worth mentioning, the demand to rename Puri railway station as ‘Shree Jagannatha Dham Puri Railway Station’ resurfaced on Wednesday, with the Jagannath Sena (a local outfit) submitting a memorandum to the Prime Minister and Railway Minister.

The outfit argues that the railway station’s ongoing renovation marks an ideal moment for expected change.

Citing examples of various other railway stations across India whose names have been changed to reflect the cultural or historical significance, Jagannath Sena questioned why a similar gesture has not been extended to Puri.

Jagannath Sena emphasised that since Puri is internationally renowned as the abode of Lord Jagannath, the railway station’s name should reflect this spiritual identity.

The outfit pointed out that the railway station is currently undergoing major renovation, presenting an ‘appropriate occasion’ for the name change to take place.

“Renaming would strengthen Puri town’s cultural and religious identity and enhance its recognition as a major pilgrimage destination,” the Jagannath Sena convenor Priyadarshan Patnaik said.