Jagamohan repair to begin from Jan 27

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Puri, Jan 9:

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will start repair work on the Jagamohan, facing the sanctum sanctorum of Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri, from January 27, said the chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).

“All parties have agreed that the repair work will start from January 27. The door will be opened at 2 am to 11 am when bhog will be offered to the God. The ASI will begin the repair work from 11 am to 6 pm in the evening. They will work in shifts. Two committees have been formed involving district authorities, police authorities, Sri Mandir authorities, among others, for coordination and inspection during the repair work,” said Suresh Mahapatra, chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration.

During the repair work for cracks spotted on the Jagamohan section of the main temple, the devotees will not be able to enter the Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum), but will have to stand in front of the wooden barricade for darshan of the deities. Sahana mela, Parimanik darshan, inside sanctum darshan will be completely closed to the public during this period.

During the repair work, the temple doors will open at 2 am; bhog and afternoon dhoop will be given at 10:30 am. The temple doors will close at 11 am. The temple will then be handed over to ASI from 11 am to 6 pm in the evening for conducting repairs. After 7 pm, the various rituals in temples will begin again.

Two committees will be formed for ritual coordination and repair work inspection, it will include sevayat members, coordination committee members, police authorities, district authorities and Sri Mandir administration members, this was decided in Chhatisha Niyog meeting yesterday.

To save the deities from dust, there will be a curtain in the Kalahata Dwar. During 1992 Garba Griha repair work, the margadarshika will be followed by all the workers engaged in repair work.