Bhubaneswar: Odish Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi held a strategic review meeting on Wednesday to assess the progress of three major religious heritage projects.
These projects have been taken up for the development of Maa Tarini Temple at Ghatagaon, the circumambulatory upliftment of Maa Biraja Temple in Jajpur, and the spiritual renewal of Ekamra Kshetra surrounding the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar.
As per official sources, Ghatagaon Maa Tarini Peetha project spans 59 acres and is being executed in four phases, with completion targeted within two and a half years. The plan includes a 200-bed pilgrim rest house, a 300-seat auditorium, a food plaza, a drainage system, parking zones, and a 500-seat prasadam hall. The Chief Minister emphasised the need for coordinated efforts with the temple committee for cultural and aesthetic improvements, including relocating nearby shops into a dedicated market complex.
Jajpur’s famed Biraja Temple is also undergoing a comprehensive beautification and infrastructure overhaul in four phases. Notable elements include the restoration of Brahmakunda, the creation of Biraja Haat, and facilities such as lecture halls, dharmashalas, and revived water bodies.
Discussion also focused on the long-neglected temples around Lingaraj Temple. Majhi suggested a collaborative restoration effort with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to preserve Ekamra Kshetra’s spiritual essence. Additionally, traffic congestion issues around the site are to be addressed via new parking infrastructure and improved roadways.
The review meeting was attended by senior officials, including Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Principal Secretary Sashwat Mishra, and Tourism Commissioner Balwant Singh, among others.
