Enumeration of Goddess Laxmi's ornaments concludes in Puri Srimandir

Puri: An eight member team of the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Friday started enumeration of gold ornaments of Goddess Laxmi Temple inside Puri Srimandir as part of the ongoing reforms to streamline the management of Laxmi temple.

All the gold ornaments and other valuables that were earlier under the custody of the servitors of Laxmi temple will now be brought to the central storage under the control of SJTA.

Also Read: Management of Srimandir’s Laxmi temple to come under SJTA purview

"After taking note of all the stock, we will verify all the valuables of the temple," said a senior member of the team.

Earlier, SJTA chief administrator Pradeep Jena, after holding discussions with the servitors on November 29 had announced that new guidelines will be formulated shortly for management of the affairs of Laxmi temple.

The move was to put an end to the existing practice of ‘autonomous temple’ and bring the Laxmi temple under the control of SJTA, sources said.

The enumeration process is also likely to play a crucial role in ensuring transparency and after the team takes stock of the existing inventory, steps will be taken either for repair or replacement of the ornaments of deities.

Meanwhile, the broken crown of goddess Laxmi was reused for the daily 'sringar' of the deity after minor repairs yesterday. Earlier, the crown was reportedly not used on the occasion of Manabasa Gurubar (Holy Thursday) leading to resentment among devotees.

Sources said, the crown was reportedly taken out by servitors after it had developed some cracks which sparked off a controversy between SJTA and servitors.