Water seepage reappears at Puri Jagannath Temple’s Meghanad Pacheri

Water seepage has once again been reported from the ‘Meghanad Pacheri’, the outer protective wall of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, raising concerns over the maintenance of the historic structure.

According to sources, water has been continuously oozing from the ‘Meghanad Pacheri’ near the Snana Mandap area of the temple. 
Moss growth has also been noticed on the wall, indicating prolonged moisture accumulation. The seepage has been occurring in a steady flow, sparking apprehension among devotees and servitors.

A similar incident was reported last year, following which the temple administration had taken note of the issue after it was highlighted on OTV. The temple administration swung into action and started cleaning the moss patches after OTV aired an exclusive report highlighting the poor state of Meghanada Pacheri. 

However, despite corrective measures last year, water seepage has resurfaced at the same location this year.

The Meghanada Pacheri serves as a crucial protective barrier of the 12th-century shrine, and repeated seepage has raised questions about drainage, structural upkeep and water management around the temple complex.

Not just one or two years, the temple administration has failed miserably to stop the water leakage since 2021. Despite repeated demands for immediate repair and restoration work, the administration has yet to come up with a permanent solution for the protection of the gigantic boundary wall surrounding the 12th-century shrine.

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Temple authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the matter. Meanwhile, demands are growing for immediate inspection and long-term remedial measures to prevent further damage to the revered heritage structure.