MUMBAI: The early morning ritual, niti and ‘Mangalalati’ of Jagannath Temple, one of the most renowned and biggest temples of Orissa, will soon be heard live on-air.
The temple’s managing committee has decided to set up their own radio station to disseminate information on Lord Jagannath. The proposal that has been passed by the managing committee will allow an investment of Rs 4-5 crores as the initial capital expenditure for studio, equipments and training of staff.
The station will air religious programmes including devotional songs, religious discourses and information on rituals for devotees for a few hours in the morning and evening every day.
Speaking with Radioandmusic.com, temple’s chief administrator Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee said that a committee of experts has been formed to look into the matter of obtaining licensing from the Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry.
“ We have set up a committee of experts that include an IIMC (Indian Institute of Mass Communication) director and media personalities to follow up the regulatory mechanisms,” Padhee said.
He also said the managing committee was open to entering into a partnership with institutions. “We would like to have private partners who have experience in running FM stations and maybe work out a business model. Our FM station is more than a source of entertainment for followers of Sri Jagannath. I don’t know if it’s the first of its kind in India, but it is certainly one of a kind.”
The radio station will function from the premises of the temple office at Puri, and the project is likely to take shape after the end of the Rath Yatra in July, reports said.
The temple administration is also exploring the digital world and very soon the news feed on daily rituals will be seen on twitter and Facebook.