Rs 413 Cr Budget For Puri Jagannath Temple; ACs At Natamandap & Shrine’s Own FM Radio

Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee on Friday approved a budget of Rs 413 crore for the 12th-century shrine in Odisha’s pilgrim town of Puri for the financial year 2024-25.

Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration Arabinda Padhee informed that it would be around Rs 913 crore if the Rs 500 crore corpus fund is taken into account. The fiscal surplus for 2024-25 after meeting its expenditures will be Rs 103 crore, he said, adding that there has been a significant improvement in the Srimandir revenue.

Pandhee also sought apology over the Adapa Pahandi mishap and mentioned the other decisions taken in the meeting with a focus on smooth and hassle-free conduct of rituals and darshan of the sibling deities.

Below are some important decisions taken at the meeting:

1. The inquiry report on Adapa Pahandi mishap during Rath Yatra was found ‘incomplete’ and the 3-member committee asked to submit another report fixing specific responsibilities. A Pahandi Coordination Team will be set up under the leadership of ‘Badagrahis’.

2. Air conditioners will be installed and almirahs and chests inside Natamandapa of the shrine will be cleared for convenience of devotees. There will be dedicated queues for women, children with special measures for Divyangs, and elderly visiting the shrine. The path will be elevated to allow devotees have proper darshan of the deities.

3. Niti sub-committee meeting to be held every month to ensure smooth conduct of the rituals.

4. All records of Jagannath Temple administration will be digitised. A GPS survey of the Lord’s landed properties will be conducted and help of Odisha Space Applications Centre (ORSAC), the apex body in the state for space technology applications, will be sought for the purpose.

5. Srimandir will soon have a dedicated FM Radio station, which will help in spreading Jagannath culture.

6. Doors of both inner and outer chambers of Ratna Bhandar, the treasury, will be gold plated once the necessary repair works are completed by the ASI.

7. An SOP will be issued with regards to welfare schemes for sevayats, including health insurance, financial assistance, scholarships for their children and aid for promoting sports among them.