‘Shilanyas’ ceremony of the much-awaited Puri Srimandir Parikrama project was conducted on Wednesday. Puri Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb laid the foundation stone for the project in presence of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Prior to laying the foundation stone, Gajapati Maharaj performed special rituals which marked the conclusion of the ongoing three-day yajna at the north corner of the temple. Around 10 land owners and others, who had donated their land for the project, were felicitated on the occasion today.
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“Today is a historic day for all Jagannath Bhakts all over the world and sacred day for the people of Odisha,” said Patnaik.
Conceived in 2016, the Puri Heritage Corridor Project was first unveiled in December 2019. Once completed, the project will benefit devotees to have a smooth darshan of the deities during festivals and other special occasions like Rath Yatra at the Puri Jagannath temple.
Official sources said that there will be a reception hall to accommodate around 6,000 devotees. Similarly, the green corridor will also have a cloakroom along with separate toilet complexes for devotees, ATM counters and pilgrim information centres.
The ambitious Heritage Corridor project, pegged at a whopping Rs 331.28 crore, will be constructed by the Tatas (company).
In the first phase, structures of religious and historical importance like Languli Mutt, Badachhata Mutt and Chhauni Mutt will be revamped with new Kalingan style of architecture.