Puri: To facilitate the tourists to have a close look at the art and architecture and the tradition of the Jagannath Temple as well as the different costumes and rituals of the Lords, Odisha Tourism Department has started the construction of an Interpretation Centre (Byakhyana Kendra) inside the Jagannath Ballav Mutt premises in Puri.
The construction of the centre will be completed in 2020 at an estimated cost of Rs 5.5 crore.
In this connection, chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Pradipta Mahapatra and senior sevayats of the Jagannath Temple have had a meeting with the chief architect, Sidharth Das who has prepared a sketch map of the Interpretation Centre.
“Apart from temple art and architecture, tradition, costumes and rituals of the lords, the centre will also house a detailed pictorial and graphic presentation on the construction of the chariots and the Jagannath Temple, religious practices of various mutts, Sahi Yatra and all research work on Jagannath culture. For each aspect of information, there will be different sections in the centre,” Mahapatra told mediapersons here on Friday.
He also said that a special meeting will be held on February 5 in which the SJTA will seek the opinion of the research scholars on the proposed centre. “Besides, we will also seek the opinion of the people for the further improvement of the centre,” he added.
Mahapatra further said that he will have a meeting with all the stakeholders very soon for a discussion to ensure timely completion of the centre a portion of the building of which has been completed.
While the construction of the centre is underway, the district administration has begun the beautification of its stone boundary wall with stone engravings depicting the costumes (besha) of the Lords, Kalapa Bata, Kanchi Ganesha, Gosani Jata, Sahi Jata, Naga Nrutya, Puri town and the marine drive.
Welcoming the efforts of the Tourism Department for setting up of the centre, senior sevayat of the Jagannath Temple, Taluchha Nilakantha Mahapatra said the centre will attract more tourists.
“Puri is a major tourist centre in the state. Though thousands of tourists from far-off places across Odisha and other states come here every day, most of them are not aware of the traditions and rituals of the Jagannath Temple. Keeping this in view, the Tourism Department is going to set up the Interpretation Centre to provide them with comprehensive information about these rituals and traditions of the temple,” he pointed out.
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