Puri Srimandir Parikrama Project Leaves Many Questions Unanswered

Among all the controversies and all the doubts, the Jagannath temple heritage corridor project in Puri seems most confusing to the common man.

Puri Srimandir Parikrama Project Leaves Many Questions Unanswered

News Summary

Is it at all necessary to dig so deep for building civic amenities around the Jagannath temple? 

If at all NMA gave permission for excavation and construction within the 100 meter radius of the Jagannath temple, it did so on the basis of which rule?

What precautions has the Odisha government taken to preserve, protect and document any historic artifacts found during the excavation work for the Heritage corridor project?

Ever since the demolition of centuries-old mutts and monuments around the Puri Jagannath Temple in 2019, development of the world famous shrine has been in the news. With Purushottam Kshetra and Jagannath finding mention in scriptures as ancient as the Rig Veda, historians are uncertain about when exactly the original temple was established. Numerous inscriptions record - construction of the present temple was started by Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva in the 11th century CE and completed by his grandson Anangibhima Deva.  

With frayed tempers and accusations and counter accusations rife, understanding what the Parikrama project is all about is essential. Amidst growing security concerns and increasing public demand for better amenities for pilgrims, the Odisha government embarked on a redevelopment plan for Puri in 2019.