The Odisha government has directed officials to complete critical components of the ambitious Ekamra Redevelopment Project around the historic Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar well before Maha Shivratri 2026, with a special focus on emergency-basis execution of parking facilities and illumination of the temple’s four sides.
Works and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan issued the directive after chairing a high-level review meeting of the Ekamra Conservation Plan on Wednesday. “All essential works, including parking and lighting around the temple, must be completed before Maha Shivratri. Bindusagar will be thoroughly cleaned and the ancient Devi Padahara and Papnashini water bodies will be restored,” the minister said.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will receive immediate funds from the Works Department to expedite heritage restoration work. An open-air amphitheatre-cum-interpretation centre is also planned as part of the project.
Addressing long-pending land acquisition bottlenecks that had stalled progress in several pockets, Ekamra MLA Babu Singh announced that the earlier agency entrusted with the task had caused inordinate delays. “A fresh tender will be floated within the next 15 days and the work will be reassigned to a new agency to fast-track remaining land acquisition,” he told reporters after the meeting.
The meeting also discussed beautification of the Bindu Sagar periphery, conservation of the medicinal plant garden, reconstruction of several ancient maths (monasteries) attached to the temple, and provision of mobile toilets for sevayats (temple servitors).
Drawing parallels with the recently completed Shri Jagannath Parikrama Project in Puri, the minister emphasised that the Ekamra Parikrama will combine modern infrastructure with strict preservation of heritage elements. “Our focus is to ensure that devotees who come to have darshan of Mahaprabhu Lingaraj carry back sweet memories along with divine blessings,” Minister Harichandan said.
Officials have been asked to submit weekly progress reports to the department to maintain strict monitoring of the timeline. With Maha Shivratri falling in late February 2026, the government is leaving no stone unturned to present a transformed spiritual experience around Odisha’s most revered Shiva shrine.
