Puri: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today affirmed that the state government would spare no efforts to complete the repair of Jagamohan, the chamber facing the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri, at the earliest.
"My government will take all necessary steps towards the repair of Jagmohan," the chief minister said after taking stock of the repair work.
“I have seen the damage that has been done to the Jagmohan. On May 20, a central team, led by Union culture secretary and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) director general (DG) will visit the 12th century shrine. After their review, we will take a decision,” he said.
“I spoke to the Prime Minister in this regard yesterday and told him the need for early repair of Jagmohan,” Patnaik added.
Talking to newsmen, Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Suresh Mohapatra said, “The Chief Minister himself went inside the Jagamohan and we briefed him about the cracks that have emerged on the beams and columns on it.”
“On May 20, Union culture secretary and ASI DG will visit the temple and will stay here for around two hours. We expect the team, after reviewing the repair work, will find out a permanent solution to the issue before Rath Yatra,” Mohapatra said.
Talachu Nilakantha Mohapatra, president of Pushpalok Nijog said, “We hope the repair work will resume within four days as the chief minister said he has talked with prime minister on the issue over phone. The repair work should get completed before Snana Purnima as no work can be carried out inside the ‘garbha griha’ after the holy bath of the deities.”