Puri: After Languli and Emar mutts, the district administration demolished the 14th century Bada Akhada mutt here Monday.
As many as 86 rooms of the 0ver-200-year-old mutt were reduced to debris in the afternoon. Baring a temple and the gadighar, a room used by the founding Mahant, the district administration cleared the centuries-old monastery constructed with mortar, sand and limestone powder mixtures. A dozen tippers were pressed into service that shifted the debris from the site.
Sources said Mahant Harinarayan Das has been shifted to Niladri Bhakta Nivas, a modern hotel of the temple located alongside the Grand Road while his disciples and other inmates of the mutt have been shifted to Bagedia Dharmshala.The district administration will demolish the Sana Chhata mutt next.
According to additional Collector Binaya Kumar Dash, demolition of the mutt began Sunday.
However, a few of the remaining structures were pulled down Monday. Structures within the 75-metre radius of the Srimandir, which have been pulled down, will be constructed soon. The district administration pulled down the mutt a day after amicus curiae Ranjit Kumar backed the state government’s ongoing eviction drive within 75 metre-radius of the temple for creation of a security zone.
