SJTA and ASI Hold High-Level Meeting to Advance Conservation Efforts at Shree Jagannatha Temple

Puri: In a significant step towards strengthening conservation efforts at the Shree Jagannatha Temple in Puri, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), held a high-level meeting with Dr. Yaduvendra Singh Rawat, Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), on Tuesday.

The meeting, attended by senior officials from both SJTA and ASI, focused on collaborative strategies to preserve the architectural grandeur, structural integrity, and cultural significance of one of India’s most revered temples.

Key Conservation Priorities Discussed

The deliberations centered around critical conservation and restoration works to be undertaken across the temple complex, with special emphasis on timely interventions before the upcoming Ratha Yatra. Key action points included:

• Restoration work in the Garbha-Griha (sanctum sanctorum) during Ratha Yatra.

• Expedited completion of pending repairs and conservation of the Ratna Bhandar, the temple’s treasury.

• Early completion of a ramp system at the North Gate entrance, aimed at easing access for elderly and differently abled devotees.

• Installation of an air-conditioning system in the Nata Mandapa and facade lighting to enhance the temple’s aesthetics and functionality.

• Conservation of the sloping roof of the Jagamohana and strengthening of the cantilevered stone structures of the Jagamohana and Bhogamandapa, supported by steel joists and vertical columns.

• Installation of lightning arrestors for high-rise subsidiary shrines such as Bimala, Mahalaxmi, Bhubaneswari, Adi Nrusingha, and Surya Temples.

• Comprehensive chemical cleaning and surface treatment of the outer stone walls of the main temple.

Shared Commitment to Heritage Preservation

Both SJTA and ASI reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the temple’s heritage for future generations. The importance of meticulous scientific methods, timely execution of works, and respectful preservation of the temple’s spiritual sanctity were emphasized.

Dr. Padhee extended gratitude to the ASI delegation for their continued support and presented Sukili Bhoga, the temple’s sacred offering, as a token of appreciation. The ASI delegation included Deputy Director General (Conservation) Janhwij Sharma, Director (Conservation) Bhima Azmira, Director (Science) Manoj Bhatnagar, Regional Director Dr. Dillip Khamari, along with local officials.

From SJTA, Administrator (Development) Debabrata Sahoo and OSD (Works) Asis Subudhi were present at the meeting.