The Odisha Legislative Assembly on Saturday passed an unanimous resolution for the development of the 12th Century Shree Jagannath Temple under the “Shreemandira Parikrama plan” (Periphery development of Shree Jagannath Temple).

“The greatest identity of the Odias is Shree Jagannath himself and Odisha’s history, culture, tradition and all our beliefs have evolved and grown around Shree Jagannath,” chief minister Naveen Patnaik said while moving the resolution in the virtual mode in the Assembly.

However, BJP’s Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi said all the developmental work to be undertaken around the Shree Jagannath temple should be done as per the
approval of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) and National Monument Authority (NMA).

Stressing the need to keep Shreemandira (Shree Jagannath Temple), the centre of the state’s spiritual heritage and the priceless treasure for future descendants, Naveen said: “We need to develop Shreemandira Parikrama plan through a collective effort.”

The resolution which got the nod of the legislature spoke about urging all Odias to take a vow to complete the Shreemandira Parikrama plan with dedication at the earliest, to provide a chance to all Odias and devotees of Lord Jagannath who want to contribute to the sacred act to do it, and to extend gratitude to people of Puri town who have sacrificed for the Shreemandira Parikrama plan. The Shreemandira Parikrama plan will be developed within 75metre radius of the shrine. All the old structures around the shrine have already been demolished and the government has taken over possession of the private land within this area.

Naveen said: “Basing on the recommendation of the Justice BP Das commission, the Shreemandira security corridor plan has been developed under Shreemandira Parikrama Yojana. The commission’s recommendation speaks about — safety of the shrine, safety and security of millions of devotees coming to the temple for darshan of the deities and creating a spiritual atmosphere for devotees.”

Under the Shreemandira Parikrama plan, the Odisha government will invest around Rs 800 crore for beautification of the Puri town, Shree Jagannath temple and its premises. The work is scheduled to begin from June 1, sources said.

On the other hand, BJP’s Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi questioned the Odisha government’s action of demolishing the age-old mutts like Emmar Mutt, Uttara Parswa Mutt, Raghunandan Library and other important monuments.

Citing the Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, Sarangi said no new work can be undertaken in the prohibited areas within 100 metres of radius of the Shreemandira.

“But in Puri various heritage monuments were demolished in the name of development. We need to know whether permission of NMA and ASI was taken before demolishing the mutts and whether detailed mapping was done before razing the mutts and an inventory of their assets was made,” she said. Demanding clarification from the state on the issue, Sarangi said: “The culture and heritage of the people should be protected.”