Digital library to preserve Puri Srimandir’s rare records to come up soon: Odisha Minister

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) authorities are set to establish a digital library to preserve the temple’s rare and historic records. Named Gyana Yagnya Mandap, the facility will be located at the site of the Raghunandan Library in Puri. 

Alongside the library, the Odisha government will also set up a dedicated research centre, according to Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan.

The digital library will safeguard rare documents, palm-leaf manuscripts, Madala Panjhi, and records of rituals performed for the presiding deities, the Minister said, adding that this initiative aims to protect the invaluable cultural and religious heritage of the Jagannath Temple.

“The proposed digital library will come up at the location of the old Raghunandan Library. This library will have a modern e-library helping the researchers and readers. It will be named as Gyana Yagnya Mandap,” Harichandan said.

The original Raghunandan Library, established in the 1920s by the Emar Mutt authorities, housed a treasure trove of manuscripts and books in Sanskrit, Odia, and Bengali. It was located on the first floor of the mutt building near the temple. The library, along with the mutt, was demolished a few years ago to make way for the construction of the Jagannath Temple heritage corridor.

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Arabinda Padhree, SJTA chief, said that the digital library will be open to both devotees and researchers, providing access to the preserved temple records and manuscripts.