The silver cladding of Singhadwar (Lion's Gate), the main entrance of Srimandir in Puri, has been completed before the Bahuda Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities. Earlier, it was decided that the work will be finished before Sandhya Darshan of the Holy Trinity and it has been finished in time.
The artisans from Mumbai completed the work within the stipulated time period. The silver cladding has been made as per the ancient Utkalia architecture.
A devotee of Lord Jagannath from Mumbai had donated 500kg silver for the purpose.
The process of fixing the gate is quite different from others. Four-inch-width Burma teak wood has been tightened onto the steel frame. Thereafter, the door has been cladded with silver plates with designs and symbols like conch and lotus. It has balls and bearings to give its longevity.
During the silver cladding of Singhadwar, CCTV cameras were installed. Elaborate security arrangements were made and a Magistrate was present during the important work.
During the popular Niladri Bije festival to be conducted on Friday, Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra will enter into Srimandir through the silver-cladded Singhadwar following the completion of their nine-day long sojourn to Gundicha temple.
Before Singhadwara, Satapahacha, Jaya Bijaya Dwara, Kalahata Dwara, Behara Dwara and Bhoga Mandapa were cladded with silver as per ancient Utkalia architecture.
Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has also decided to clad the other three doors of Srimandir with silver in the coming days.