Odishatv Bureau

Puri: With the objective to streamline reforms at the Puri Srimandir, Shankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati today called all stakeholders to meet after regular intervals of three months and urged for cooperation at religious, administrative and servitor levels.

Presiding a high-level meeting at the Govardhan Peeth today in presence of Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb, SJTA chief administrator Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra and others, Shankaracharya suggested that regular meetings among all stakeholders should be organised to ensure reforms in religious and administrative practices at Puri Srimandir.

Taking cognizance of regular disruptions over last six decades after the administration of the temple was handed over to the State government and incidents of recent past like Brahma Parivartan fiasco, Niladri Bije debacle, temple ritual disruption and violence over Dhadi Darshan, the Shankaracharya today stressed that every possible attempts should be ensured to restore the sanctity and glory of the 12th century shrine.

Puri Gajapati who was also present in the meeting said, "The reforms at the ancient shrine will continue to be a daydream if reforms in religious, administrative and servitors’ level are not taken properly."

Ramachandra Das Mohapatra, member of Srimandir Managing Committee said that under the supervision of Shankaracharya, all the reforms of the temple can be implemented properly, but alleged that the State government is not taking proactive steps to cooperate in this regard.

SJTA chief administrator Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra however, claimed that the initiative taken by Shankaracharya is a positive measure.

Ahead of Amicus Curiae Ranjit Kumar’s visit to Puri to review implementation status of Supreme Court-suggested 12-point set of reforms, the decision by Shankaracharya, the religious head of the Jagannath Temple is being considered as a significant development.

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