The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has launched major conservation, restoration and inventory work inside the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri while Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra remain at the Gundicha Temple during their nine-day Rath Yatra.
The temporary absence of the Holy Trinity from the sanctum has provided temple authorities with a rare opportunity to undertake structural conservation and document the temple’s priceless ornaments.
ASI, IIT Madras and CBRI oversee conservation work
An inspection was conducted on Friday by officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the temple administration’s technical team following a high-level review meeting chaired by SJTA Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee.
Conservation work is being carried out in the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum), Nata Mandap and Bhog Mandap. The restoration project is being executed by the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) and IIT Madras to preserve the temple’s historic structures.
As part of the modernisation efforts, work has also begun to install an air-conditioning system in the Nata Mandap.
Inventory and 3D scanning of temple ornaments begins
The temple administration has also initiated the counting, valuation and digital documentation of Lord Jagannath’s sacred ornaments.
According to Chief Administrator Dr. Padhee, 3D scanning and inventorisation will be carried out for several important ornaments, including Rahu Rekha, Jhoba, Suna Chita and Rupa Rasik Sua Thantia.
He said the annual stay of the deities at the Gundicha Temple offers the most suitable time to complete the inventory process without disrupting temple rituals.
Lakhs of devotees gather for Adapa Bije ritual
Meanwhile, preparations have been completed for the Adapa Bije Niti at the Gundicha Temple. With the Adapa Pahandi ritual scheduled later in the day, lakhs of devotees have assembled to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath.
Temple authorities have appealed to devotees to cooperate with the administration and follow all guidelines to ensure smooth and orderly darshan during the annual Rath Yatra festivities.
