Repair work of Puri Srimandir ‘Meghanada Pacheri’ to start after ‘Kartika’ month: SJTA chief administrator

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has completed the survey of the Meghanada Pacheri, the gigantic boundary wall surrounding the Puri Srimandir and the report has been sent to their central office in New Delhi. The repair and conservation work of Meghanada Pacheri will start after the end of the Holy Odia month ‘Kartika’, informed Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator, Arabinda Padhee on Wednesday.

Padhee also informed that apart from the Meghanada Pacheri, repair and conservation of the side temples around Srimandir will also be carried out.

A meeting was reportedly held between ASI and the Works Department of the temple administration in this regard on Wednesday. While SJTA has already started the drainage work, emphasis was given to the safety of the Meghanada Pacheri in the meeting.

According to SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee, grouting is being done to stop the drainage of water on the east side of the Meghanada Pacheri.

“The work section of SJTA has already started its work for repairing the drain carrying water from inside the temple. A tender has been done for bigger drains and it may take some time. However, water leaking through the holes is being stopped on a temporary basis. We are hopeful of bringing a permanent solution. ASI officials have discussed about it and made an elaborate plan. They have also informed about it to their headquarters,” said Padhee.

“The long-term repair and conservation work of Meghanada Pacheri will be done by the ASI. The drainage work has already started by the temple administration. The repair work and conservation work will fully start after the month of ‘Kartika’,” he added.

After an uproar over the safety and security of Meghanada Pacheri, the temple administration took up the cleaning work of the wall.

The temple administration swung into action and started cleaning the algae patches after OTV aired an exclusive report highlighting the poor state of Meghanada Pacheri.