Puri: Noted architect Raghunath Mohapatra will embellish the stainless steel frames installed at Srimandir Jagamohan with ornamental pieces made from stone to beautify the structure.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has entered into an agreement with the Padma Vibhushan recipient architect in this regard recently. SJTA sources said Mohapatra will complete the beautification work at Jagamohan within 75 days. The eminent architect and sculptor will undertake the task free of cost. “Mohapatra will clad the stainless steel frames at Jagamohan with stone-made artistic pieces as per a design prepared by the SJTA,” said a Srimandir source.
Jagamohan was in a dilapidated state with several cracks appearing on its pillars and pockets. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and state Public Works Department (PWD) had installed stainless steel frames inside Jagamohan to reinforce the structure.
However, installation of steel frames has affected the beauty of the 12th century structure. As a result, the SJTA, in consultation with experts, decided to wrap the steel frames with stone-made decorative pieces. The temple administration had invited tenders from private parties to carry out the renovation work. The project cost was estimated to be around Rs 13 lakh.
Sources said altogether five entities, including Mohaptra, had submitted their tenders for the Jagamohan beautification work. A private company, Dillip Construction, was eventually selected through the bidding process to clad the steel frames with stone-made ornamental works.
Mohapatra, who was not selected in the tender process, had written to the temple administration expressing his desire to carry out the stone cladding work at Jagamohan free of cost.
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