Bhubaneswar, July 9: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) today said there was "no immediate threat" to Jagmohan, the sanctum sanctorum of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The ASI, which has received recommendation of the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, regarding renovation of the 12th century shrine, said a detailed blueprint on the repair would be prepared within two days.
Officials of the state government and the ASI today discussed the steps to be taken for the repairs. After the review meeting, joint director-general S.B. Ota said: "Steel frames have been put in place on a temporary basis as a support to Jagmohan."
He further said: "The major repair inside the sanctum sanctorum will be over before the niladri bije of the Trinity, scheduled to be held on July 17, when they will return to their abode." However, an official said they would repair the drainage and water supply system by July 15.
The state government is worried about the rickety condition of the Jagmohan. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik had taken up this issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Later, it was decided that the IIT, Chennai, would be assigned the work.
A major controversy cropped up as the ASI had objected to the recommendation made by the local expert committee, which supervises the day-to-day repairs of the temple. Later, the issue was resolved after the ASI director-general visited Puri on May 20 and discussed the detailed plan with the local team.
The local team, led by engineer G.C. Mitra, had convinced the ASI on how the permanent steel structures needed to be placed to give support to various weak points of the shrine, where cracks had developed. Later, the ASI director-general had agreed to it and it was decided that corrective steps would be taken accordingly.
But another problem has cropped up whether the temple surface would be dug to fix the steel frame. Official sources said it would shortly be decided on how to put up the steel frame.
Yesterday, a team experts from the IITs of Kharagapur, Chennai and Roorkee had visited the sanctum sanctorum. However, official sources said no major work would be taken up in the sanctum sanctorum.
In another development, the ongoing car festival is mired with a controversy, as defying restriction imposed by the administration, a woman devotee last night climbed up on Nandighosh - the chariot of Lord Jagannath. She had climbed on to it before the deity was taken to the Mausima Temple from the chariot.
Chief temple administrator Suresh Mohapatra said: "The girl, who had climbed the chariot, is the daughter of a servitor. We will examine the CCTV footage and accordingly steps will be taken."
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration has allowed the devotees to touch the chariots but imposed a ban on devotees climbing on to the chariots and touching the deities.
