Puri: Efforts are being made to reopen Gundicha Temple in Odisha’s Puri to devotees in the first week of October as the development work at the shrine is nearing completion.
This information emerged after Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Arabinda Padhee, members of the Temple Management Committee and senior administrative officials inspected the Gundicha temple premises on Saturday.
The inspection was carried out to review the ongoing development work and arrangements before devotees are allowed inside.
Stating that most of the work inside Gundicha Temple has been completed and the remaining work is nearing completion, the SJTA chief said work to install CCTV cameras at various locations, including arrangements related to the counting of donations, is also underway.
The temple is also being made accessible to differently-abled devotees, with arrangements being made for darshan at the Adapa Mandapa, he said.
“We inspected everything there. Whatever else is required, such as installing CCTVs at various locations, is being arranged,” said Padhee
Some of the restoration work is still underway near Nachana Dwara on the Ananda Bazar, he said.
Devotees traditionally visit Gundicha Temple to have darshan of the Janma Bedi of the Lors after offering prayers at Jagannath Temple. However, the temple has remained closed for several years, leaving devotees unable to enter the premises.
Meanwhile, the Temple Management Committee has fixed the entry fee for devotees visiting Gundicha Temple at Rs ten. Free facilities will be available for keeping footwear and mobile phones. Entry to Gundicha Temple will be completely free for senior citizens and children.
