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A steel platform will be formed to carry out the renovation work. Devotees will not be allowed inside to have darshan of the deities when repair work is being carried out
Bhubaneswar: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and Archeological Survey of India (ASI) Thursday proposed to start repair work at Jagmohan, the inner part of the 12th century shrine, from December 16. The final decision will be taken after consulting the sevayats.
The proposal was mooted at a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of SJTA chief administrator Suresh Mohapatra here this evening. The work would be done between 11 am and 7 pm, said AK Patel, superintendent of ASI, Orissa.
“We have decided to start the repair work from December 16 and the work will start at 11 am and continue till 7pm every day. A steel platform will be formed to carry out the renovation work. Devotees will not be allowed inside to have darshan of the deities when repair work is being carried out,” Mohapatra said.
However, the devotees can offer prayers from the outer wooden barricade, he said. “After 7pm, there will be normal darshan for all visitors,” said the SJTA chief administrator.
“We will try to complete the renovation work before Snana Purnima,” he said.
Mohapatra pointed out that the repair work is a complex operation involving co-ordination among sevayats, ASI officials and temple authorities. “We will ensure that there is no lack of co-ordination among these parties,” he said.
At present, the plaster on the walls is being removed. The extent of the work required to be done can be gauged after this is completed, said an ASI official. Around 25 skilled workers will be involved in the repair work, an official said.
The last major repairs in the sanctum sanctorum (Jagmohan) had taken place in 1992, said sources.
