Gangamata Mutt’s Secret Tunnel In Puri Turns Into Tourist Attraction, Raises Security Questions

Puri: Foreigners visiting Gangamata Mutt at Bali Sahi in the Pilgrim Town of Puri has raised questions over security of 12th century Jagannath Temple.

A tunnel in the 500-year-old mutt, located beside the sacred Swetaganga Tank, has turned into a tourist attraction and people are flocking to it. Some foreign tourists were also seen entering this secret tunnel, which is reportedly blocked halfway.

It is believed that the tunnel connects to the old Rajbati (Shaymakali temple) and Ratnabedi, the bejewelled platform where the Lords reside. A few years ago, some historians and ASI officials had inspected the tunnel.

According to legends, Sarbavoum Bhattacharya used to bring Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to this mutt, belonging to Gaudiya sect, from the 12th century shrine using this tunnel.

The tunnel is of six to seven feet and the road thereafter has been blocked, sources said, adding that Jai Rajguru too had hide in here.

“There is no evidence of any tunnel from Jagannath Temple and its link to any other tunnel. The matter will be reviewed by engineers,” said Shree Jagannath Temple Administration administrator (development) Ajay Kumar Jena.