Cuttack: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has informed Orissa High Court that there was need for minor conservation work at the Gundicha temple complex in Puri.

On July 5, the high court had directed the ASI to report on the current status of Gundicha temple, which is referred to as the garden house of Lord Jagannath as it stands in the middle of a beautiful garden with walls on all sides.

The temple has no activity throughout the year except for the nine-day period when the ratha yatra takes place and Lord Jagannath is worshipped inside it. The ASI was expected to submit its report on the temple, along with progress report on the repair of Jagannath temple's Jaya Bijaya Dwar, through an affidavit on July 30.

In his affidavit on Monday, ASI (Bhubaneswar Circle) superintending archaeologist H.A. Naik cited the Gundicha temple inspection report.

He said: "At present it has been found that all the temple structures are in stable condition without any conservation problems. The conservation work done during 1994 is also protecting the main temple, which is in good condition".

The inspection report attached to the affidavit said: "...some minor conservation needs are noticed at the main temple complex and in the kitchen block".

Architecturally, Gundicha exemplifies a typical Kalinga temple built using light-grey sandstone in the Deula style. The temple complex has four constituents - tower housing the sanctum sanctorum, assembly hall, festival hall and offering hall. The kitchen is connected through a small passage.

The inspection report pointed out that water leakage spots were noticed in the offering and festival halls and entrance arch to the complex on inner boundary wall.

The inspection report mentioned need for plaster of both outer and inner walls and roofs of the three halls.

In his affidavit, Nayak, however, clarified that "the Gundicha temple is not a centrally protected monument and are maintained by the Jagannath temple office".

Taking note of it, the division bench of Justice Vineet Saran and Justice B.R. Sarangi asked the Jagannath temple administration to take up appropriate conservation measures.

The bench fixed the next date for monitoring work progress on periphery temples inside the Jagannath temple and the natamandap on August 20. It also directed the ASI to submit a status report on that day.