ASI To Take Up Jagannath Temple Repair Work During Rath Yatra

Bhubaneswar: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will take up the repair work of the Jagannath Temple during Rath Yatra in Puri.

Informing this to the media after presiding over a meeting related to the safety of the Jagannath Temple on Wednesday, Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Pradipta Mahapatra said ASI will begin repair work of the Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum), Nata Mandap, Rosa Ghara (temple kitchen) and Jagmohan inside the temple premises between Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra.

He said the ASI team will inspect the Garbha Griha of the main temple on July 5 and 6. “Though no crack has been found on the roof of the Garbha Griha, the ASI will carry out an inspection of the roof on the basis of the complaint by the servitors,” Mahapatra said, adding that the ASI has been asked to complete the repair work by the evening on July 14.

Regarding the replacement of the Jaya-Vijay idol, he said the newly-carved stone idol of  Jaya-Vijay will be replaced with the damaged one and consecrated on June 16.

Talking about the condition of the Neelachakra (blue wheel) atop the temple, Mahapatra said there is no damage to the structure. “Steps will be taken to strengthen its base. Apart from this, ASI will conduct a chemical analysis of the Neelachakra to know its durability,” Mahapatra added.