ASI restores lion idols of Puri Srimandir damaged by cyclone Fani

Puri: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has restored the lion idols of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri which were damaged in cyclone Fani more than a month back. Along with restoring the lion idols, ASI has also restored the damages caused to the model temple and the cracks in the 'Kalash' installed at the Bhoga Mandap.

Other repair works on Srimandir premises include restoring the scraped-off lime paint on the roof of Ratna Bhandar and plasters of 'Gumuta' of the 'Singhadwar.' A drone was engaged on June 3 for scientific analysis of the damages to the 'Nilachakra', informed sources.

"Our team is tending all the damages caused to Shree Jagannath Temple and almost all the repairing works are complete. Currently, we are mending the damaged plasters in Ratna Bhandar and other places of the temple," informed ASI Superintendent Engineer, Arun Mallick.

It is pertinent to mention that the lion idols on south and west sides of temple and Sakhigopal and Baraha temples on the premises of the 12th-century shrine were damaged after the iron scaffolding around the temple fell on it under the impact of cyclone Fani. ASI, DG, Usha Sharma had ordered the concerned officials to complete the restoration work by June 17 ahead of the Rath Yatra.