THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

PURI, JULY 15, 2026

In a landmark move that seamlessly blends timeless faith with modern technology, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday inaugurated 'Samarpan', the state-of-the-art digital hundi platform of the Shree Jagannath Temple, enabling devotees across the globe to offer donations to Lord Jagannath online with ease and transparency.

The digital platform was inaugurated at the office of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri, ahead of the annual Rath Yatra. Developed by the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) under the Electronics and Information Technology Department in collaboration with SJTA, the initiative is aimed at making spiritual offerings more accessible while ensuring secure and transparent transactions.

Addressing the media after the launch, Chief Minister Majhi said, “Digital Hundi – Samarpan is not just a tech-based reform. It is a sacred and transparent bridge that will connect the devotion and surrender of crores of Jagannath lovers across the globe with Shree Mandir.” He added that the funds collected through the platform would be utilised for the overall development, preservation and maintenance of the temple.

The user-friendly digital platform, available through both a mobile application and web portal, allows devotees to register using their mobile number and OTP. Contributions can be made from as little as ₹1 with no upper limit through multiple payment options, including UPI, internet banking, debit and credit cards, as well as WhatsApp. A downloadable digital receipt is generated instantly after every successful transaction.

The platform also offers income tax benefits to devotees contributing towards the temple's repair, renovation and corpus funds upon submission of PAN details. In addition to facilitating donations, Samarpan serves as a comprehensive digital gateway for devotees by providing temple information, daily ritual updates, the latest announcements, and an online room-booking facility at Bhakta Niwas for pilgrims visiting Puri.

Highlighting the broader significance of the initiative, the Chief Minister said the platform reflects the state government's commitment to transparent, technology-driven and people-centric governance while making it easier for lakhs of Jagannath devotees in India and abroad to participate in the temple's spiritual and developmental activities.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Commerce & Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, Puri MP Dr Sambit Patra, Pipili MLA Ashrit Pattanayak, Satyabadi MLA Om Prakash Mishra, Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary (I&PR) Hemant Kumar Sharma, and SJTA Chief Administrator Dr Arabind Kumar Padhee.

Launched on the eve of the world-famous Rath Yatra, Samarpan is expected to strengthen the bond between millions of devotees and Lord Jagannath by offering a clean, secure and time-saving avenue to express their faith from anywhere in the world.