Houses to be provided to Srimandir servitors; Chariot wheels to be given for free

Puri: The Odisha Government will provide houses to the servitors of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri, informed Krishan Kumar, Chief Administrator, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) today after a meeting of the Temple Managing Committee which was chaired by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb.

The houses over 8 acres of land will be provided to as many as 400 sevayat families in the first phase. An amount of Rs 2 lakh will be given to each family for building the house on 600 sq ft plot. They can invest more money for expansion of the houses, said Kumar.

Speaking on the gurukul project for providing education to the children of the servitors, the official said Srimandir Adarsh Gurukul Society and Srimandir Gurukul Fund for managing the educational institution will be formed. Seventeen acres of land at Matitota has been identified for establishment of gurukul, for which the state government will provide Rs 20 crore. Teaching shall begin at the gurukul from academic year 2022-23, he said.

Kumar further informed that wheels of the Ratha Jatra chariots of the deities, which were earlier sold, will be given for free. A sub-committee will prepare the criteria for selection of the individuals/ institutions to whom the wheels shall be given.