Heritage Meets Technology
Gyana Yagnya Mandap Digital Library Initiative in Puri: In a pioneering step towards preserving India’s sacred heritage, the Odisha Government has unveiled plans to launch the Gyana Yagnya Mandap, a state-of-the-art digital library in Puri. This initiative aims to digitize and conserve rare records, manuscripts, and temple chronicles associated with the Jagannath Temple, one of India’s most revered shrines.
The digital library will be developed on the site of the demolished Raghunandan Library, which once stood within the Emar Mutt complex, near the temple precincts. It will serve as both a cultural archive and a digital hub for devotees, scholars, and researchers.
Static GK fact: The Jagannath Temple in Puri is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Hinduism, alongside Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameswaram.
Background of the Project
The earlier Raghunandan Library, established in the early 20th century, was a treasure trove of palm-leaf manuscripts and religious scriptures in Odia, Sanskrit, and Bengali. Its demolition was part of the Jagannath Heritage Corridor Project, which focuses on enhancing temple access, beautifying the surrounding area, and improving pilgrim facilities.
The new Gyana Yagnya Mandap seeks to revive this lost intellectual space by merging tradition with modern digital preservation techniques.
Key Objectives and Features
Digital Preservation of Temple Records
The project will digitally archive:
- The Madala Panji, the centuries-old temple chronicle documenting royal patronage and rituals.
- Palm-leaf manuscripts depicting traditional Jagannath rituals and liturgies.
- Ritual manuals and administrative records detailing the temple’s historical and cultural evolution.
Static GK Tip: The Madala Panji is considered one of the oldest historical records in India, dating back to the 12th century, chronicling temple activities year by year.
Research and Scholarly Access
The facility will feature an integrated e-library system and a research centre for academic and devotional study. Scholars, historians, and devotees can digitally access sacred materials once locked away in fragile form.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) will oversee the initiative, ensuring authenticity and accuracy in the digital archive.
Cultural and Religious Significance
The Gyana Yagnya Mandap is not merely a digital project but a spiritual renaissance. By combining heritage conservation with digital innovation, Odisha reinforces its identity as a guardian of India’s living traditions.
This effort also symbolizes the digital empowerment of cultural heritage, ensuring that sacred texts, ritual documents, and temple records are safeguarded against decay or loss.
Static GK fact: Puri, located on the eastern coast of India, hosts the famous Rath Yatra, an annual chariot festival attracting millions of devotees worldwide.
Administrative Details
The initiative was announced in October 2025 by Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, with project management under SJTA. It is a model for how Indian states can use technology to protect intangible cultural heritage while making it globally accessible.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Gyana Yagnya Mandap Digital Library Initiative in Puri:
| Topic | Detail |
| Project Name | Gyana Yagnya Mandap Digital Library |
| Location | Site of old Raghunandan Library, near Jagannath Temple, Puri |
| Announced By | Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan |
| Administered By | Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) |
| Objective | To digitally preserve temple manuscripts and chronicles |
| Key Archive | Madala Panji, palm-leaf manuscripts, ritual manuals |
| Associated Project | Jagannath Heritage Corridor |
| Significance | Blends heritage preservation with digital innovation |
| Year of Announcement | 2025 |
| Cultural Importance | Protects Odisha’s religious and historical legacy |
