Odisha Govt Reviews e-Hundi System for Online Donations to Shree Jagannath Temple

Bhubaneswar: In a major move to enhance digital access for devotees, the Odisha government on Wednesday reviewed plans to operationalise an e-Hundi system for the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, allowing devotees from across India and abroad to make donations online.

The proposal was discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan at Lok Seva Bhawan. Senior officials of the Law Department and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) participated in the deliberations on implementing the digital donation platform.

According to officials, the proposed e-Hundi system will enable devotees to offer donations remotely on occasions such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and in fulfilment of personal vows and prayers. The initiative seeks to address the long-standing demand of Jagannath devotees living outside Odisha and overseas who wish to contribute to the temple’s Hundi without visiting Puri.

The meeting focused on ensuring the secure and seamless implementation of the system. Officials informed that donations made through the e-Hundi platform would be eligible for income tax benefits under applicable provisions. The funds collected through the platform will be utilised exclusively for the development and welfare activities of the Shree Jagannath Temple.

Emphasising the importance of security, Harichandan directed officials to put in place robust safeguards against cyber fraud and ensure that the platform remains protected from misuse by cybercriminals.

Once operational, the e-Hundi system is expected to provide millions of devotees worldwide with a convenient, transparent, and secure mechanism to make offerings to Lord Jagannath.

Among those present at the meeting were Law Commission Chairman Justice Biswanath Rath, SJTA Chief Administrator Dr Arabinda Padhee, Law Department Principal Secretary Dr Pabitra Mohan Samal, Special Secretary Pranab Kumar Patra, Additional Secretary Shiba Prasad Mahapatra, and other senior officials.