Bhubaneswar, Aug. 23: Structures in front of the Lingaraj temple that obstruct the view of the 11th century shrine from the Debipadahara pond will be cleared shortly.

The plan to develop the surroundings of the temple got a boost with land acquisition for the purpose reaching its final stage and the state tourism department allocating Rs 3 crore as compensation to shop owners whose shops are among those structures to be demolished. These structures, situated between Debipadahara pond and the temple, obstruct a clear view of the shrine.

Sources in the tourism department said, as the area surrounding the temple is a heritage zone, they want to ensure that it is free from encroachment and looks clean.

The temple is regularly in the news for its religious ceremonies and rush of devotees. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage has already developed the front side of the temple into a small park.

The public works department is also constructing a 40-feet wide road to link Kotitirtheswar Lane with the square near Lingaraj temple.

Sources in the tourism department said that apart from creating a clean ambience around the temple, the state government was also going to develop an interpretation centre in front of the shrine.

There was also a plan to convert the Lingaraj police station into a heritage police station since it is the oldest in the city.

Architectural consultant to the tourism department Akshaya Beuria said: “The renovation of areas near Lingaraj temple is being taken up in phases. First, the Lingaraj haat was renovated with pindis made of laterite stones. Then the parikrama or the walkways around the Bindusagar lake were developed with beautiful laterite walls and matching carvings. Now, Lingaraj police station will also get a makeover.”

The police station, built over 1.5 acres in front of the temple, was established in 1912. Earlier, it was called Bhubaneswar police station. The state government gave it its present name in 1997.

The police station makeover will include landscaping and restoration of its colonial looks.

Ekamra MLA Ashok Kumar Panda said: “The heritage police station will also work as a tourist police station, because it is nearest to the state’s biggest Shiv shrine that people from various parts of the country visit everyday.”

“The interpretation centre near the temple square will be the information hub for tourists. Here, they can relax and get details on Ekamra Kshetra (ancient Bhubaneswar),” Panda said.

Ekamreswar temple, a replica of Lingaraj temple on the premises of Lingaraj police station, will also be restored.

“There is a plan for heritage buildings near Lingaraj temple to have the same colour, a trend being followed by states such as Rajasthan,” Panda said.

TEMPLE FACTS

Main temple is 55 metres tall

It was built in the Kalinga temple architecture style

There are 150 smaller shrines inside a spacious courtyard