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Eviction work being carried out near the Jagannath temple in Puri. Picture by Sarat Patra |
Bhubaneswar, March 20: The Jagannath temple administration has decided not to allow devotees to enter the sanctum sanctorum from today. This will aid smooth conduct of rituals at the 12th century shrine.
Earlier, the temple administration used to allow visitors enter the sanctum sanctorum by handing special tickets for the purpose.
“This step has been taken to ensure timeliness of all rituals that otherwise get delayed because of flocking of devotees to the sanctum sanctorum,” said a temple official.
In a related development, the district administration today launched an eviction drive to clear the encroachments around the temple following the Orissa High court’s directive.
The high court has ordered that there would be no structure within 10 feet of the external boundary wall of the ancient shrine.
Encroachment, including a shoe stand and a public toilet, were demolished during today’s drive.
Demolition of portions of the Badachhata Mutt, including its first floor, and Chhauni Mutt, which pose a threat to the temple structure, would be demolished later. This was done to allow the ASI to carry out repair work of the Singha Dwar (lion’s gate) of the temple. The high court had already given its approval to the plan.
Bada Chhata Mutt and Chhauni Mutt are situated adjacent to the outer boundary wall on the northern and southern side of Singha Dwar. In his report, Puri collector Arabind Agrawal had told the high court: “The load of the Chhauni Math building is shifted to the Singha Dwar as it shares one of its walls with it. Even sculptures of the Singha Dwar remain on the mutt premises. Further, the entire load of the building of Badachhata Mutt has been transferred to the outer boundary wall of the Jagannath temple because of construction. The roof of this building is inserted inside the boundary wall itself, threatening its safety”.
Last month, an expert team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had detected the dilapidated condition of the ancient shrine’s Singha Dwar, which had triggered concern about its safety. The ASI has been entrusted with conservation of the ancient temple, which was declared a centrally protected monument in 1975.
The state government had decided earlier to clear encroachments around the temple for security purposes. It has planned to set up watchtowers on four sides to keep vigil.