Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik inaugurates Rs 800 crore Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor in Puri

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the ‘Srimandir Parikrama’ project on Wednesday, with the goal of improving amenities for worshippers near Puri’s Jagannath Temple.

The Chief Minister presented the Rs 800-crore project in the presence of Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Divyasingha Deb, and delegates from about 90 temples, including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain, and the Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal.

The 75-metre-wide historic corridor surrounding the temple contains a green buffer zone, a welcome space for 6,000 devotees, the Jagannath Ballav pilgrim centre, multi-level parking, a designated pedestrian route, and public convenience zones.

The project, which was first announced in December 2019, was delayed owing to the pandemic and the National Monuments Authority’s (NMA) issuing of draft by-laws for the temple in January 2021, which barred any building within the temple’s 100-metre perimeter. However, the bylaws were withdrawn at the request of the Chief Minister.

Similarly, in June of last year, the Supreme Court dismissed two PILs opposing the rehabilitation project, calling them “frivolous litigation”.

Special buses were operated and screens were installed

Prior to the inauguration, the BJD government conducted statewide promotional activities. On Wednesday, the government proclaimed a holiday to commemorate the project’s opening.

In addition, special buses were operated from various areas of the state to Puri so that devotees could participate in the event. Screens were also installed in panchayats and block headquarters to broadcast the event live.

Chief Minister Patnaik posted on X after the project was officially launched, stating, “It is my great privilege to be involved in the launch of Parikrama Project of Bhavya Shrimandir. The tour of the temple gave me a divine feeling. This further tightens the bonds of devotion and devotion of the devotees with the Lord.”

“Many people have dedicated and worked hard for this project in devotion to Lord Shri Jagannath. The Odia people will never forget the endless sacrifice of Puri people in particular. It is the project of our Lord, the symbol of the faith of every orthodox, every devotee. Jai Jagannath,” Naveen Patnaik wrote.

Following the opening of the “Srimandir Parikrama,” the Odisha Chief Minister shared a devotional song sung by Jubin Nautiyal.

“Jai Jagannath is the husband, Nayan is the wayfarer, Bhava is you The entire shrine is filled with thoughts and devotion. All this is possible because of his will. This devotional song in the voice of popular singer Jubin Nautiyalis adding to the emotions of every devotee following the launch of Bhavya Srimandir Parikrama project,” he stated.

You might also be interested in Dress code for devotees in Jagannath Temple from January 1