Puri: The Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR) has asked the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to install air conditioners at Srimandir sanctum sanctorum and Jagamohan to deal with smoke and hot air.
The Dhanbad-based institute has recently submitted a report on ventilation issues at Srimandir to the ASI. The CIMFR has suggested the ASI and SJTA also raise the capacity of exhaust fans installed at the main structure of Srimandir.
Besides, the temple administration and the ASI have been told to widen ventilation facilities at the 12th century shrine, said Srimandir technical committee member NC Pal.
Srimandir has been facing ventilation issues due to offering of earthen lamps and hot Prasad to the deities for last several years. The ASI has engaged the CIMFR to study ventilation issues at the shrine and suggest measures to tackle them.
“Experts from the Dhanbad-based agency have been observing ventilation facilities at Srimandir for last several years. Recently, it submitted a final report in this regard to the ASI,” said a source in the temple administration.
Notably, the SJTA had installed a few air conditioners at Srimandir sanctum sanctorum two years ago. However, the cooling machines were removed for renovation work at the Jagamohan temple, sources said.
In another development, the ASI and the SJTA have decided to install stainless steel beams at the Beharana gate of Srimandir to strengthen the dilapidated structure. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the temple technical committee in Bhubaneswar January 4. The ASI will also carry our repair works of the roof and pillars of Beherana gate.
“The ASI officials have detected several cracks on the beams of Srimandir Nata Mandap. Members of the temple technical committee and ASI experts will soon deliberate on the issue and finalise a way to mend the cracks,” added the source.
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