Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, on Friday, announced setting up a world-class museum, library, and research centre in Puri for the preservation of Jagannath culture and literature.
The comprehensive complex aims to promote and preserve the rich Jagannath culture and literature, addressing a long-standing gap in tourist engagement and local infrastructure.
Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, the CM said the complex will play a pivotal role in the study, documentation, and promotion of the rich culture associated with Lord Jagannath.
The campus will also have an auditorium with a capacity of 300 seats, a space where light and sound shows will be hosted daily, and a large open-air stage where cultural performances will be showcased, he said.
Majhi stressed that many visitors to Puri, particularly younger tourists, are largely unaware of the profound Jagannath culture. “Little has been done in this regard for the last seven decades,” he noted, highlighting the need for this new initiative.
“For the promotion and preservation of Jagannath culture and literature, the government has now decided to set up this world-class centre in Puri,” he said.
The Chief Minister also pointed out the lack of diverse tourist attractions in Puri. “Think about it, if a tourist comes to Puri today, he has two main destinations, one of which is the Jagannath Temple and the other is the sea beach. Apart from this, there is no other entertainment or tourism infrastructure where he can spend some time,” the Odisha said.
“So, to solve these two problems, our government has decided to establish a world-class Shri Jagannath Museum, Library and Research Centre in Puri. It will be built in one complex,” he added.
The proposed museum will offer a deep dive into the history of the Jagannath Temple, including its construction, the intricate process of carving the wooden deities, the historical victory of Kalinga in Kanchi, and the significance of various festivals and temple rituals. These narratives will be brought to life through paintings, miniature statues, plaques, and other exhibits.
ଶ୍ରୀ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ସଂସ୍କୃତି ଓ ପରମ୍ପରାର ପ୍ରଚାରପ୍ରସାର ସହ ପୁରୀକୁ ଏକ ଉନ୍ନତ ଆଧ୍ୟାତ୍ମିକ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟଟନସ୍ଥଳୀ ଭାବେ ଗଢ଼ି ତୋଳିବା ପାଇଁ ବିଶେଷ ପଦକ୍ଷେପ ନେଇଛନ୍ତି ରାଜ୍ୟ ସରକାର। ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ପୁରୀ ପୌରପାଳିକାକୁ ମହାନଗର ନିଗମରେ ପରିଣତ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଘୋଷଣା କରିଛନ୍ତି।
ପୁରୀ ସହର ଏବଂ ଆଖପାଖରେ… pic.twitter.com/YHutKMEaBN
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) July 4, 2025
Adjacent to the museum, a new library will house an extensive collection of books on Jagannath culture, Odia culture, and traditions, with modern e-library facilities also available.
Adding to the immersive experience, the center will feature light and sound shows that narrate the many stories associated with the Jagannath Temple.
These tales will be divided into episodes and presented in Odia, Hindi, English, and Bengali, ensuring accessibility for a wide audience, he added.
