The Odisha government is intensifying efforts to establish the proposed Shri Jagannath Culture Centre and upgrade the Raghunandan Library to safeguard the legacy of Lord Jagannath.

During a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan on Friday, Works and Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan emphasized that the traditions linked to Lord Jagannath are deeply connected to Odia identity, spirituality, and cultural heritage, making their preservation a collective moral responsibility for future generations.

The proposal outlines that the cultural centre will feature two modern conference halls and an audio-visual centre to support academic discussions, seminars, workshops, and research activities focused on Jagannath culture and religious heritage. This institution is envisioned to be a significant hub for presenting the history, philosophy, traditions, and socio-cultural impact of Jagannath culture to a global audience.

Additionally, it aims to promote advanced research on Jagannath traditions, ancient history, and Odisha’s religious heritage. The minister noted that special attention will be given to the preservation and digitization of rare historical materials, including Madala Panji, palm-leaf manuscripts, archival records of ancient temples, and other traditional documents and historical evidence.