Highlights
- The Parikrama Project with an estimated cost of Rs 331.28 crores was initiated with the foundation laying on Wednesday by the servitor Gajapati Divyasingh Dev in the presence of Odisha CM, Naveen Patnaik.
- World-class amenities include separate lanes for the general public, servitors and vehicular traffic in addition to cloakrooms and buffer zones.
With an aim to remould Puri into a World-class heritage city, the foundation stone for revamping the Jagannath temple under the Shri Mandir Parikrama Prakalpa has been laid. Transformation plans were unveiled two years back in Dec 2019.
The opening servitor of Lord Jagannath, Gajapati Divyasingh Dev performed the yajnas at the scheduled ceremonial commencement of the Heritage Corridor project ahead of the Shila Bije rituals. A colossal eviction operation was conducted surrounding a 75-meter radius of the Shri Mandir in 2020.
The Parikrama Project comes under the ABADHA scheme (Augmentation of Basic Amenities and Development of Heritage Corridor Project) and the Government has facilitated the same by buying land from 115 families who were putting up at the site.
The landholders were felicitated by Odisha CM, Naveen Patnaik who handed out their land adjoining the heritage corridor project. Notable VIPs namely Assembly Speaker, Surya Narayan Patro, Puri’s MP Pinaki Mishra and Odisha PCC President Niranjan Patnaik attended the ceremony.
Prior to this ceremony, several rituals viz. Ankura Ropana, Pancha Karma, Brahmana Barana, Agni Puja, Gou Puja, Sala Prabesha, Yajna, Shila Snana have been administered. The 75-meter radius neighbouring the Meghnada Pacheri is predominantly classified into 9 categories spread across the northern, southern and western sides.
- Green Buffer Zone: This 7-meter zone comprises a 5-meter green coloured patio with a buffer of 1m from the outer wall of the monument. The rest of the area incorporates a hardscape area of 2m skirting the Meghanada Pacheri meant for staff access and maintenance.
- Antar (inner) Pradakshina: This 10-meter path is meant only for pedestrians to carry out the annual ritualistic procession of deities and for the utilisation of the general public for parikrama of the complex. It would have restricted access to service vehicles and emergency requirements.
- Landscape Zone: 14-metergardens have been designed with utmost scrutiny of the local agricultural practices. Native trees and shrubs specific to the regional culture will be planted.
- Bahya (Outer) Pradakshina: Capped with trees on either side, this would serve as a pathway for devotees for experiencing spiritual aura along with the unhampered sight of the Shree Jagannatha temple.
- Public Convenience Zone: This 10-meter long zone will have amenities such as resting rooms, drinking water, information/donation kiosks, and shelters for rest.
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- Service Lane: This4.5-metersegregatedlane is dedicated to service vehicles and maintenance activities of the corridor.
In addition to the above, it is also equipped with a primary cloakroom covering an area of 500 Sqm. that will accommodate visitors for leaving their baggage, shoes and mobiles ahead of entering the vicinity of the temple.
Attempts to rebuild the Matha temple within 75m of the Heritage Corridor along the lines of Kalingan architecture. The remodification will also be taken up for the Garbha, Griha, Jagamohana and Nata Mandapa temples.
