Bhubaneswar 

The Odisha government is exploring the possibility of introducing an electronic hundi system to enable devotees to make donations online to the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri, officials said on Thursday.

The proposal was discussed during a meeting chaired by Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, following increasing requests from devotees across India and abroad seeking a convenient digital platform for contributions to the temple.

Officials said both the state government and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) have been receiving numerous appeals for an online donation facility for the 12th-century shrine, one of India's most important pilgrimage centres.

Under the proposed initiative, tentatively titled ‘Samarpan’, devotees would be able to make secure digital donations through an e-hundi mechanism.

The meeting also examined the possibility of granting tax benefits on such donations. Participants discussed utilising the funds generated through the platform for infrastructure enhancement, maintenance and preservation works associated with the temple.

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Harichandan stressed the importance of ensuring robust cybersecurity measures before the system is introduced. He directed officials to put in place adequate safeguards to protect devotees from online fraud and ensure that all digital transactions remain secure and transparent.