Conservation of Puri Jagannath temple: SJTA Chief meets ASI DG

Bhubaneswar: The Chief Administrator, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, held a crucial meeting with the Director General (DG) of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Dr Yaduvendra Singh Rawat today to discuss ongoing and future conservation efforts for Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri.

The meeting focused on collaborative initiatives to preserve the temple’s architectural heritage, structural integrity, and cultural significance.
Key discussions included:

• Conservation and restoration works for the temple complex, and the critical ones to be taken up in the Garbha-Griha during the Ratha Yatra
• Completion of balance conservation and repair works of Ratna Bhandar by ASI
• Early completion of Ramp system for facilitating entry of aged and differently abled devotees at North gate entrance of ShreeMandira
• ⁠Provision of air conditioning system in Nata Mandapa and facade lighting of the temple
• ⁠Conservation work of outside slopping roof of Jagamohana
• ⁠Provision of lightening arrestors to the high rise subsidiary temples like Bimala, Mahalaxmi, Bhubaneswari, Adi Nrusingha and Surya Temples
• ⁠Strengthening the M.S. Joist supports/vertical steel columns provided beneath the cantilever chali stone of Jagamohana and Bhogamandapa
• ⁠Chemical cleaning and surface treatment of outer stone surfaces of the main temple

Both ASI and SJTA emphasized the importance of their partnership in safeguarding this iconic religious and cultural landmark.

The Chief Administrator thanked the DG, ASI, for the support and presented Sukili-Bhoga from the Temple.

The DG ASI was accompanied by a high level delegation that included DDG (Conservation), Janhwij Sharma, Director (Conservation), Bhima Azmira, Director (Science) Manoj Bhatnagar, Regional Director Dr Dillip Khamari and the local officials. Administrator, Development, Debabrata Sahoo and OSD Works, Asis Subudhi from SJTA were present.