Puri: A recent Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey in Odisha’s Puri has uncovered intriguing evidence suggesting the existence of a buried ancient settlement beneath the Pilgrim Town, including an underground tunnel connecting Shree Jagannath Temple with the sea.
The findings of the non-invasive scan have stirred interest among historians, archaeologists and devotees, raising calls for scientific excavation and preservation to protect Odisha’s hidden heritage.
The survey, carried out by experts from IIT Gandhinagar at a cost of Rs 40 lakh and commissioned via the Odisha Bridge Construction Corporation (OBCC) on behalf of the temple administration, detected structural anomalies in a 21.6 square metre area. These include possible chambers, walls, and a tunnel-like formation believed to extend from the temple precincts directly toward the Bay of Bengal.
In total, 43 potential heritage sites were identified, encompassing locations such as Emar Math, Nrusingha Temple, Budhi Maa Temple, and key roads approaching the Jagannath Temple. Buried artefacts, including pottery shards, metal objects, and everyday items, were also found buried underground.
However, there was a confusion over the availability of the report. While the temple administration claimed it had not received the findings, IIT Gandhinagar insisted it had submitted them. OBCC later admitted that the report was incomplete.
Advocate Dillip Baral, who obtained the report through the Right to Information Act, has demanded for immediate scientific excavation and preservation.
The survey was commissioned after a broken lion sculpture, which could date back to the Ganga dynasty, was found from the spot where the ancient Emar Mutt once stood in the 75-metre periphery of Jagannath Temple during excavation for the Srimandir Parikrama Project in May 2022. A 30-foot-long wall and a chamber measuring 7.6m by 3m was also found, with speculation that it may have once housed golden idols.
The East Ganga Dynasty had ruled Kalinga, the ancient name of Odisha, from the early 5th century to the early 15th century.
Meanwhile, senior sevayat of Shree Jagannath Temple Binayak Das Mohapatra called for greater transparency while highlighting the historical importance of the findings. ““Emar Mutt carries deep historical and cultural significance. Gold and silver bricks have been found within its premises in the past. It is also believed that Ramanuja himself once visited this place. If any such findings exist and the government possesses an official report on the matter, that information should be made public without delay. Moreover, with plans underway to establish a library and other facilities there, it is essential to initiate a proper archaeological survey at the earliest. If the site indeed holds ancient or historically valuable elements, they deserve to be properly documented and preserved,” he added.
Notably, there were reports about secret tunnels or hidden chambers in the Ratna Bhandar of the shrine, which was later rubbished by Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan.
