Puri: The silver cladding work of Singhadwara of the Jagannath Temple in Puri completed before Niladri Bije rituals of deities.

After the brass-clad door of Singhadwara (Lion's Gate) of Puri Srimandir was replaced with the door made of Burma teak wood, the new door has been plated with silver metal by 13 artisans from Mumbai. All the work has been completed before the deadline Bahuda Jatra (return journey) of deities during Ratha Jatra.

The world will witness the divine rituals on Niladri Bije when Lords will enter the temple through silver-clad new Singhadwara after completing 11-day-long festival.

The silver coating work of Singhadwara had begun on June 21, a day after deities commenced 9-day sojourn to the Gundicha Temple. The entire work was executed by Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) under supervision of ASI during Ratha Jatra.

Sources said that the 15-feet high Singhadwara was clad with 525 kg silver donated by a devotee. Efforts have been made to retain the original design of the door.

Singhadwara is the first gate of 12th-century Jagannath Temple to be silver clad. The proposal for coating other gates of Srimandir with silver is under consideration.

So far, eight of the wooden doors at Bhitara Bedha (inner compound) have been silver clad including Jay Vijay, Beherana dwara, Sata Pahacha dwara and Kalahata dwara inside Srimandir.