Bhubaneswar, July 7: The Puri Jagannath temple administration has decided to make the usually crowded sanctum sanctorum of the shrine comfortably cool for the devotees using the "cold and hot air blow" technology.
The technology will ensure that the hot air generated inside the sanctum sanctorum finds its way out and is replaced by cold air making the place cool. The administration decided to use this air-cooling system as scholars opposed installation of air conditioners in the sanctum sanctorum.
Officials said devotees as well as servitors and priests felt uncomfortable in the inner areas of the shrine which turn hot and humid because of the heat generated by the cooking of mahaprasad, which is offered to the deities before being sold outside to the devotees.
Chief administrator of the Jagannath temple, Suresh Mohapatra, said: "For the first time, we are going to introduce the air circulation system to make the air cool inside the sanctum sanctorum. Mecon, a government of India undertaking company, has agreed to provide funds for the project."
Sources said the temple administration had already written to the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), which preserves the shrine.
ASI Odisha chief A.K. Patel said: "We have no objection to this. An expert team working in the field of conservation and an official of the ASI will enter the sanctum sanctorum on July 20 when the Trinity leave for the Mausima temple during the car festival and make a detailed study for the project."
Officials said all project-related work would be completed within seven days. "A chemical treatment would be given to the inner chamber of the sanctum sanctorum for better conservation," Patel said.
The temple administration also made it clear today that servitors would not be allowed to take mobile phones inside the temple under any circumstances.
However, Mohapatra clarified that on the Brahma paribartan (soul transfer) day, no servitors had taken mobile phones inside the temple.
Focus on safety
Chief minister Naveen Panaik directed the officials concerned to take adequate steps for the safety of the devotees who come to the pilgrim town to witness the car festival. He asked them to ensure foolproof traffic management.
Director-general of police Sanjeev Marik said: "Nearly 9,000 police officials will be deployed for the upcoming car festival scheduled to be held on July 18."
Two platoons of quick rapid action force will also be deployed and three interceptor boats will patrol the sea off Puri to ensure security.
In order to ensure smooth traffic management, state government has decided to distribute free booklets on traffic arrangements in the town during Nabakalebar and rath yatra. According to the arrangement, vehicles will be parked at 27 parking lots constructed for the two festivals.
