Jagannath’s City Speaks Bengali: A Wake-Up Call for Odisha’s Linguistic Heritage

A Disturbing Shift in Puri’s Identity

In the sacred lanes of Puri, where millions of devotees visit the Jagannath Temple daily, an unsettling trend is slowly eroding the Odia identity. Hotels, restaurants, and shops across the bustling town are increasingly displaying signboards in Bengali script, while the Odia language is either ignored completely or relegated to tiny, almost invisible footnotes. This change has sparked protests among locals who see it as nothing less than a betrayal of their cultural heritage.

Tourism at the Cost of Heritage

Puri attracts lakhs of visitors every day—from within Odisha, from across India, and even from abroad. This constant inflow of tourists fuels the economy of the state, yet it is coming at a heavy cost. “We are proud of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and our Odia culture, but how can we overlook our mother tongue?” asks a concerned resident, voicing the worry shared by many.

A stroll through the temple lanes can easily give the illusion of being in Kolkata rather than in Shree Kshetra. Hotel signboards and menus are boldly displayed in Bengali, English takes the second spot, and Odia—ironically the local language—appears rarely, and only in tiny, unreadable scripts.

The Silent Erasure of Odia

From hotel room nameplates to roadside eateries, Odia is conspicuously missing. “I am Odia; my language is my identity, my pride,” says another local, lamenting how such negligence gradually chips away at the community’s self-respect. For a 12th-century temple that symbolizes devotion and Odia pride, the dominance of another language around its premises feels like a cultural wound.

Administration Under Fire

Many citizens are holding the district administration and the Culture Department accountable, questioning whether this trend is the result of ignorance or sheer indifference. “Our language conservation practice is deteriorating; when will the true lovers of the cause come forward?” they ask. Odisha’s identity is deeply rooted in its language, and letting it decline in the heart of Puri raises serious concerns.

History has shown that civilizations survive and thrive only when they safeguard their mother tongue. The current situation in Puri is a reminder of the urgent need to defend Odia.

A Call to Protect Odia

The way forward demands immediate and decisive measures. Authorities must ensure that Odia is placed first in all multilingual signage, launch awareness campaigns, and actively involve local bodies in monitoring implementation.

The movement for Odia language protection needs to gather force like a storm—spreading beyond Puri to every corner of the state. The call will continue until Odia regains its rightful place. Each restored signboard will not just be a nameplate but a symbol of Odisha’s soul being preserved.