Lord Jagannath rules Odisha as 'king', not Chief Minister: Majhi

Business To Business, Puri, 15^th June, 2026:   Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday said that Lord Jagannath is the "real king" of Odisha, and that the office of the Chief Minister is a platform for public service rather than a symbol of power.
Speaking at a felicitation ceremony in Puri, Majhi said:
"In Odisha, the Chief Minister is not the ruler, but the Lord Himself is the real king and the CM's seat is not a symbol of power but a means of public service."
Felicitation over Jagannath temple issue
The Chief Minister was honoured at a special event organized by Shri Jagannath Bhakta Seva Sansthan for his role in efforts that led to the removal of the word "Dham" from references to the Jagannath temple at Digha.
The issue had sparked debate because many devotees and cultural groups in Odisha regard Jagannath Temple as the unique and original Jagannath Dham, one of Hinduism's most revered pilgrimage sites.
Organizers said the felicitation recognized Majhi's efforts to:

• Protect Jagannath traditions and culture.
• Promote Odisha's religious heritage.
• Strengthen Odia cultural identity.
• Preserve the unique status associated with the Puri Jagannath Temple.

• Sambit Patra
• Servitors of the Jagannath Temple
• Scholars of Jagannath culture
• Religious leaders and pandits
• Devotees and community representatives