Sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra begins beautification of Puri temple Jagamohan

Puri:  Odia architect Padma Vibhushan Raghunath Mohapatra has started beautification of the stainless steel frame installed for the purpose of Jagamohan of Jagannath temple in Puri.

According to information, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and Raghunath Mohapatra have signed an agreement in this regard.

According to the deal, the Jagamohan will be designed with a wrapping made of beautified Khandelite stones and Raghunath Mohapatra has assured to complete the design work within 75 days, temple administrator (ritual) Pradip Kumar Das said.

Jagamohan, the hall facing the Sanctum Sanctorum of the ancient temple which was in a dilapidated condition due to cracks in pockets and pillars is being renovated by repair works undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Public Works Department (PWD) of state.

At present the structure has been reinforced with the help of stainless steel frames affecting the beauty of the ancient ceiling.  The temple administration had invited tenders to carry out the beautification works at an estimated cost of Rs 14 lakh.

Speaking to OTV, Raghunath Mohapatra expressed his happiness to have been given the opportunity to decorate the hall. “Stone cutting has been done and the ornamentation works will be completed within one and half to two months. I had promised that I would work for Lord Jagannath free of cost since I did not feel it right to compare the lord with monetary value,” Mohapatra said.