Plaster Damage In Jagannath Temple To Be Repaired During Rath Yatra Next Year: ASI

Puri: The roof of Garbha Gruha (sanctum sanctorum) of Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Puri town will be repaired during Rath Yatra next year.

This was stated by superintendent of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Arun Mallik, while speaking to media persons, after a meeting with the members of Jagannath temple management committee in the town on Saturday. The meeting was held to discuss the condition of the roof of sanctum sanctorum after a chunk of plaster fell off on August 3.

Mallik ruled out that the plaster peeled off due to wetness inside the sanctum sanctorum. However, he said the extent of damage can be known after the experts of ASI inspect the roof, he added.

He further said steps will be taken to examine condition of ‘Ratna Bhandar’ (store house) of Jagannath Temple, if the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) files an application in this regard. The repair works would be carried out on priority basis, he added.

Meanwhile, it was decided at the meeting that the temple will be opened to devotees to have darshan and the  arrangements made accordingly. Barricade will be installed near ‘Ratna Singhasan’ where the sibling deities – Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devis Subhadra – are worshipped, informed chief administrator of the SJTA.