Shree Jagannath Sanskrit University, established in the year 1981, is the third of the Eighteen Sanskrit Universities of India. Its present campus at Shree Vihar, Puri. The foundation stone of the University was laid by Prajnana Vachaspati Dr. Janaki Ballav Pattanaik, the then Chief Minister of Odisha, a great patron of Sanskrit learning and culture on 07.07.1981. True to the expectations of its founders, the University has dedicated itself to the cause of reviving, preserving and promoting studies and research in Sanskrit through scientific analysis of Indian Knowledge Systems. This is a teaching cum-affiliating University. There are, at present , eight Post Graduate Departments located in the University campus. The University has to its credit 167 nos. of Upashastri (+2) and 138 Shastri (+3 levels) Sanskrit colleges out of them 94 have been brought under the fold of Permanent Affiliation.

The University has Shikshashtri-B.Ed. course of Sanskrit students from the academic session 2012-2013.

The University has a Centre of Advanced Research in Sanskrit (CARS) and a publication wing regularly bringing out its journal Shreejagannathajyotih , News Bulletin Shreevihara-Bharati and other research works. Besides, a Career Counseling Cell, a Computer Application Centre, Study Centre for Odisha Open University, NET Coaching provision for University Students, Civil Service Coaching Centre, NSS Wing and Health Centre, Manuscript Resource Centre (MRC) for surveying the valuable manuscripts form different corners of Odisha in collaboration with National Mission for Manuscripts, Department of Culture, Govt. of India are also functioning in the Campus. During the last week of July,2016 this University has been assessed by the NAAC Peer Team and it has been accredited by NAAC B+ Grade. The University is growing day by day due to the unconditional held and guidance of the Department of higher Education, Odisha, OSHEC and UGC with the mission and vision for making it to a world class educational organization for Sanskrit studies in Odisha.