Gajapati Maharaja Inspects Puri Parikrama Project, Proposes New ‘Annakshetra’

Puri: Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb reviewed the progress of the Parikrama Prakalpa around Shree Jagannath Temple, proposing a new ‘Annakshetra’ near the temple’s north gate to improve the distribution of Mahaprasad and ease congestion at Anand Bazaar.

During his visit, the Gajapati Maharaja, accompanied by senior officials including the Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), the District Collector, and the Superintendent of Police, assessed the ongoing development work and discussed ways to enhance facilities for the growing number of devotees.

Speaking about the proposed Annakshetra, the Gajapati Maharaja emphasized that the rising footfall at Srimandir has led to severe overcrowding at Anand Bazaar, the designated area where devotees purchase and consume Mahaprasad. He stressed that a dedicated Annakshetra near the north gate would provide a better-organized space for serving food, ensuring a smoother experience for visitors.

“The existing Anand Bazaar is struggling to accommodate the increasing number of devotees, making it difficult to serve Mahaprasad efficiently. Setting up a separate Annakshetra will help manage the crowd and improve the overall experience for pilgrims,” he said.

Apart from this, the Gajapati Maharaja also reviewed plans for relocating the Srimandir office to streamline administrative functions. He discussed the renovation of the Shree Jagannath Cultural Library and Raghunandan Library, ensuring that these historic institutions continue to be accessible to devotees and researchers.

The Parikrama Prakalpa project, which aims to improve infrastructure around the temple, is progressing steadily. Officials assured that all construction activities are being carried out while preserving the heritage and spiritual essence of Srimandir.