Bhubaneswar: In a significant development concerning the landed properties of Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Puri, around 29 acres of land in Shankarpur Mouza of the Holy City has been officially recorded in the name of Lord Jagannath.

The land, which was earlier under the control of Uttar Parswa Mutt, has now been identified as Shree Jagannath Temple property following an order by the Consolidation Commissioner. Acting on the order, Puri Tehsildar carried out the demarcation and measurement of the land on Saturday and installed an information board declaring it as temple property.

The administration has also marked the boundaries of the land with red flags. The information board clearly states that the land belongs to the Shree Jagannath Temple and warns that unauthorised entry into the property is a punishable offence.

The market value of the said landed property, measuring 28. 84 acres, is estimated to be around Rs 600 crore.

The order was passed by the Consolidation Commissioner after hearing Settlement Revision Petition No. 303 of 2016. The case was filed under Section 15(B) of the Odisha Survey and Settlement Act, 1958.

The Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee had challenged the preparation of the Record of Rights (RoR), or the updated land records, under Khata No. 411.

After examining the matter, the Consolidation Commissioner ruled in favour of the temple based on the 1977 land records.

Following the verdict, the district administration initiated steps to identify and secure the land as part of the temple's property.