SJTA takes possession of Bauli matha

Puri: The Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Wednesday sealed the Bauli Matha adjacent to the Swarga Dwara here and took it into possession while acting as per a directive issued by the Supreme Court.

The SJTA took possession of the matha after the latter’s management lost a litigation in the apex court.

Shops on the premises of the Bauli Matha have also been taken by the Srimandir administration into its possession. Besides, Jagannath Temple Police (JTP) has been deployed on the premises.

Meanwhile, the Puri temple administration has decided to take other mathas in Puri, which are in dilapidated condition, into its possession in coming days.

Arvind Agarwal, Puri Collector, stated, “In coming days, we will recover the mathas encroached upon or those given on lease at throwaway prices. At the same time, we will ensure independence of the mathas remains intact.”

The Bauli matha is one of the ancient heritage sites where Sikh Guru Nanak had stayed during his visit to Puri.