Editorial Policy
Pilgrims plan journeys using what they read here. This page explains how the guide is researched and written, and the limits of what it can promise.
Last updated
Who is responsible
The guide is written and maintained by Sai Kiran, who is responsible for all published content. The site is independent: it is not affiliated with or operated by the Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration, and it carries no paid placements, sponsored content or affiliate links.
How information is researched
Sources are used in the order of preference set out on the sources page:
- Official and government sources first, above all the temple administration's website, for rituals, timings, darshan arrangements, rules and facilities.
- Published scholarship for historical context.
- Established reference works and national news reporting for recent events, clearly attributed in the text.
- General websites and blogs are not used as the basis for important factual claims.
Important facts are attributed next to where they appear, using a short "Source" note. When a page says a source was checked on a particular date, that source was opened and read on that date.
History, tradition and belief
Historical claims are presented with appropriate attribution and, where relevant, distinguished from temple tradition, religious belief and modern interpretation. Where it helps the reader, statements are labelled:
- Historical record information supported by historical, archaeological, inscriptional, governmental or scholarly evidence
- Temple tradition accounts preserved through Jagannath tradition and temple texts
- Devotional belief religious beliefs or interpretations held by devotees
- Modern interpretation later explanations that may not represent established historical fact
Traditions and beliefs are described respectfully and are never dismissed. They are also never presented as proven historical or scientific fact. Where scholars differ, the page says so briefly.
Current visitor information
Timings, darshan arrangements, rules, facilities and fees are set by the temple administration and can change at short notice. Pages with this kind of information show a "facts last reviewed" date. That date is changed only when the facts have actually been re-checked against the sources listed on the page. Official temple notices always take precedence over anything on this site.
Dates on pages
- Published: when the page first appeared.
- Updated: when the content materially changed. It is not changed for minor edits, and never just to make a page look fresh.
- Facts last reviewed: when the time-sensitive facts were checked again against their sources.
Use of software tools
Research and drafting are assisted by software tools, including AI writing and research assistants. Such tools can make mistakes, which is why important claims are tied to named sources that readers can check for themselves. The author reviews what is published and is responsible for it.
What we do not claim
The site does not present personal visits, interviews or photographs as evidence unless they genuinely took place, and it does not claim review by historians, priests or temple officials. No testimonials, ratings or reviews are published.
Images
The illustrations on the site are original folk-art style artwork and diagrams. They are not photographs and do not depict the actual deities or temple. Photography inside the temple is not permitted, and no images of the inner sanctum are published.
Corrections
Readers can report errors and outdated information. How this works is described on the corrections page.