India, May 29 -- The Jagannath temple in the coastal city of Puri is a beacon of spiritual and cultural identity. This 12th-century shrine, dedicated to the revered deity, Jagannath, is not just a religious site but a cornerstone of Odia heritage, drawing millions of pilgrims annually.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Mohan Majhi last week announced that it would seek patents or trademarks for terms intrinsically tied to the temple, including "Jagannath Dham," "Srimandir," "Mahaprasad," and the temple's logo. The announcement came a month after a controversy erupted

After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated a Jagannath temple in Digha - a coastal town some 350 km from Puri -- and named it Jagannath d...