Explained: What is Puri Srimandir Parikrama Project?

Bhubaneswar: The Srimandir Parikrama Project (Srimandir Heritage Corridor Project) is the most important aspect of the ambitious plan of the Odisha Government to transform the pilgrim town of Puri into a World Heritage City. It was unveiled in December, 2019.

The project has been undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs 331.28 crore. Creation of various amenities and infrastructure around 75-metre radius of the Shree Jagannath Temple is the prime feature of this project.

It includes Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) building redevelopment, a 600-capacity Srimandir reception centre, Jagannath cultural centre including Raghunandan library, integrated command and control centre, Badadanda heritage streetscape, Srimandir amenities improvement, Sri Setu, Jagannath Ballav pilgrim centre, multilevel car parking, municipal market development, Swargadwar development, Pramod Udyan, Gurukulam, Mahodadhi market, beachfront development, Puri lake, Musa river and Atharnala revival plan, and housing for sevayats.

A 7-lane-wide pathway for devotees and a separate lane for the deities around the Meghanada Pacheri of the temple will be created under the project.

A reception hall to be created under the project will have the capacity to accommodate around 6,000 devotees.

There will be cloakroom along with separate toilet complexes for male and female devotees.

ATM counters, pilgrim information centres, police posts and first aid centres will be made operational as a part of the project.