The Samadhi has been reconstructed after the destruction in the 2013 floods. The entire reconstruction work was undertaken under the guidance of the Prime Minister, who constantly reviewed and monitored the progress of the project.
Before inauguration of the statue, BJP national general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santhosh said in a tweet, "The statue of Poojya Adi Shankaracharya which will be unveiled by Prime Minister Modi today at Kedarnath. Sri Ram Mandir and Deepotsav at Ayodhya, ongoing Kashi Vishwanath corridor work and today the works at Kedarnath. Giant strides towards cultural rejuvenation."
In view of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Kedarnath, the BJP has planned a grand nationwide program across the country. "Party has made arrangements for the live broadcast of the Prime Minister's program at thousands of temples across the country. Special cultural and religious events have also been arranged here, which will surely inculcate the sanskar of spiritual consciousness in the citizens," Tarun Chugh, BJP national general secretary said.
At Kedarnath, the Prime Minister also will inaugurate key infrastructure projects which have been completed, including Saraswati retaining wall Aasthapath' and ghats, Mandakini retaining wall Aasthapath, Tirth Purohit houses and Garud Chatti bridge on river Mandakini at a cost of over Rs 130 crore.
The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for multiple projects worth over Rs 180 crore, including the redevelopment of Sangam Ghat, first aid and tourist facilitation centre, admin office and hospital, two guest houses, police station, command and control centre, Mandakini Aasthapath queue management and rain shelter and Saraswati civic amenity building.
On the sidelines of unveiling a book here, the Hindu seer criticised Naveen Patnaik-led government for ignoring him in the Sri Jagannath temple affairs.
“ASI was given only 12,000 for the maintenance of Sri Mandir 22 years ago. In touch with Central government, we had published a notification. The father of the current chief minister had issued a white paper with my proposals which I had given to Centre on the maintenance of the temple. But, now I am not aware about what is being undertaken for the preservation of temple”, Saraswati said.
He flayed both the centre and State government for taking a lackadaisical approach towards the protection of spiritual organisations. “Not a single Prime Minister in independent India is aware about his responsibility towards mutt and temple. As they have not understood their responsibility, there is no question that they are discharging their duty. I do not find a single Prime Minister or chief minister who discharged 1 per cent of his duty towards mutt and temple”, he quipped.
The seer alleged that the government machineries are controlling the temple and mutt. “As per the constitution and tradition, the spiritual organisations are managed in special manner. But, now- a-days government machineries have control over it and are directly running these on own style. It has made the spiritual outfit complete direction-less”, he added.
Expressing deep concern over the filthy environment of Puri, the Hindu seer held the short sightedness of the government responsible. “Many things take place in my silence. I do not belong to any party, if the government of a party did not paid heed towards the protection of Jagannath culture, it would not continue to remain in power for more days”, he pointed out.
He hoped the BP Das commission would do need ful. “The office of ‘Govardhan Peeth’ has given its proposal to Justice BP Das commission. If he (Justice Das) comes to me, we will discuss on every aspect. I would talk to my mind”, Saraswati maintained.
They said temples and mutts especially those coming under the Endowment Commission be allowed to reopen for devotees in adherence to the Covid-19 protocols.
The Sakhigopal temple, Dandamakundpur temple, Siruli Mahaveer, Alarnath and Maa Mangala temple in Kakatpur and Tarini temple in Ghatagaan and other famous shrines which witness a large footfall of devotees, should be taken into consideration, they added.
Taking the plea of the servitors seriously, the Puri seer has assured them to take the matter to the Endowment Commission.
"The servitors of Sri Jagannath Temple, Sakhigopal temple and others in the State are suffering due to closure of the temples as they have no other alternative for their livelihood. I urged the government to take care of them and their families and do alternate arrangements for their livelihood till the reopening of shrines", the Sankaracharya said.
The servitors across the State have been pressing for reopening of temples by beating gongs and blowing conch shells.
They argued if all types of gatherings and meetings are allowed and liquor shops are permitted to run the business, so should the temples.
They said that their livelihood has been hit hard due to the closure of the shrines.
Sources said the temples in other States have been thrown open to public following Central government’s go-ahead while the Odisha government is yet to take a call on the demands of the priests.
Servitors who usually run their family with the donation they collect from the devotees are finding it hard to make their ends meet.
Earlier, the servitors of Puri temples had staged a dharna on the Bada Danda, demanding reopening of Jagannath temple and others across the State. They suggested the devotees be allowed to enter temple in adherence to Covid-19 norms.