The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will spend approximately Rs 4 crore to renovate and redevelop 14 temples in Ekamra Kshetra, Bhubaneswar.
All the money will be spent within the 2023-24 fiscal. Bhubaneswar MP and BJP leader Aparajita Sarangi informed this after visiting all the 14 temples in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
As per Sarangi, almost Rs 1 crore will be spent on Lingaraj Temple while Rs 25 lakh will be spent to renovate Sisupalgarh and Brahmeswar Temple, Rs 30 lakh for Bhaskareswar Temple, Rs 25 lakh for Khandagiri & Udaygiri caves and Rs 20 lakh each for the development of Rajarani temple, Sukasari temple, Sahasralinga temple and Rameswar Temple.
Similarly, Rs 33 lakh and Rs 30 lakh have been set aside for Baital temple and Parshurameswar temple, respectively.
The fencing work of Papanasini tank is already underway at a cost of Rs 40 lakh. Rs 15 will be spent on the renovation of another pond nearby.
Well and pond at the Kedargouri temple will be modernised at a cost of Rs 3 lakh. Similarly, Rs 6 lakh will be spent on setting up a bio-toilet and repairing the footpath at Mukteswar temple.
“14 temples in Bhubaneswar will be renovated by the Central government and all the money will be spent by the ASI. Everything has been finalised today,” Sarangi said.
“I spoke with the locals, devotees and the priests. The Roshaghara (Kitchen) of Lingaraj Temple needs an immediate repair including three platforms inside the temple. There are two other temples behind the Lingaraj temple buried under the soil. They need excavation,” she added.
(Reported by Kapilendra Pradhan, OTV)