Orissa HC Directs ASI To Begin Repair Of Nata Mandap & Jagamohan Of Puri Jagannath Temple Tomorrow

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Wednesday directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to start the repair work of Jagamohan and Nata Mandap of Shree Jagannath Temple in the pilgrim town of Puri from Thursday.

As per the order of the HC, the court-appointed amicus curiae is required to monitor the Jagamohan and Nata Mandap repair work at the 12th century shrine and submit detailed reports regarding the progress in every 15 days, sources said.

Though the ASI reportedly wanted to begin the repair work on November 24, the High Court summarily rejected the proposal. The ASI was asked to start the work on Thursday.

The court-appointed amicus curiae had earlier found evidence of wear and tear in the structures of the 12th century shrine. The amicus curiae had expressed concern over cracks appearing on a beam in Nata Mandap.

The court has reportedly fixed next hearing on December 4.

It may be noted here that the court had on November 8 rejected the affidavit of the ASI regarding the repair of the Jagamohan of the Puri Jagannath Temple and asked it to submit a fresh one. The HC had described the affidavit furnished by the ASI as incomplete and directed it to submit a fresh affidavit with detailed information on the steps taken for the repair of the vital structure of the 12th century shrine.

The HC, which has sought details about the steps taken since 2017, had scheduled next hearing in the matter on November 15

Earlier on November 6, Acting Chief Justice BR Sarangi had sought a detailed report from the ASI after hearing two different petitions on the Jagamohan and the Ratna Bhandar. He observed that no progress has been made in the repair of the Jagamohan and Ratna Bhandar and sought the details from the ASI on the steps taken since 2017 to repair the two structures.

On July 10, the ASI had informed the High Court that the repair work of the Jagamohan and the Nata Mandap had been completed. The HC had asked the ASI to submit an affidavit regarding completion of the repair work at the earliest.

It may be noted that the High Court had on August 1 directed the state government to form a special committee on reopening of the Ratna Bhandar to carry out repair works and conduct an inventory of the valuables kept inside it. The court issued the order after hearing a petition filed by senior BJP leader Sameer Mohanty.