Puri: There are hundreds of ancient structures in the district that are on the verge of collapse in the absence of proper maintenance, as the administration has apparently failed to preserve and renovate these heritage sites.
According to researchers and religious scholars, the Pilgrim City and its outskirts are a treasure trove of 500 heritage sites, including temples, mutts and ponds. Apart from the Srimandir and a few shrines and ponds having close links with the Jagannath culture, most of the ancient structures have been lying in neglect for the last several years.
A few heritage sites, including a shrine dedicated to Lord Bishnu near Swargadwar cremation ground and the Goddess Chandi temple near Musa river, are on the verge of collapse due to want of much needed preservation effort.
A couple of years’ ago, the administration had planned to construct a heritage corridor in the city to attract tourists to the ancient structures. The proposed corridor would facilitate tourists and devotees to travel in motor vehicles. Moreover, the administration had proposed to set up a walk around the Jagannath temple.
The administration had planned to utilise funds sanctioned under various schemes of the Central and the state government for the purpose. Besides, it had prepared estimates for renovating at least 40 heritage sites of the city in the first phase. However, these are still ‘proposals’ as no step has been taken yet to implement the said proposals.
“As many as 21 ancient structures between Batamangala temple and Atharnala bridge have been lying in neglect for years. Besides, the administration is yet to renovate a Mahaveer temple near Atharnala and a pond dug during the regime of Gajapati king Chodaganga Dev in the city,” said a city-based intellectual.
PNN
