The cracks on the Jagamohan of the Jagannath Temple in Puri should be repaired on an urgent basis, Amicus Curiae NK Mohanty told the Orissa High Court in a report on Tuesday.
“Many distressed locations on first and second pidha layers of Jagamohan (outside slopping corbelled zones) and on Amalakas/ Kalasa of buttressing pilli temples were observed during inspection on 17 September 2022. These distresse locations are mostly in the form of wide structural cracks, localised dislodgement of stone blocks and detached weak lime plasters including extensive corrosion of existing wrought iron clamps. These distressed locations are on the eastern and south eastern corners of Jagamohan which are visible from the rooftop of Natamandapa,” the amicus curiae mentioned in the report.
“It is pertinent to mention here that the ASI-constituted Core Committee had earlier advised the local ASI team to take up de-plastering and conservation work on outside slopping roof of Jagamohan after completion of inside structural repair work since 2017. The ASI team was also earlier advised to examine condition of stone masonry underneath the weak line plaster in sample patches/ bands for assessment of conservation need and design specifications. The matter has been discussed in various Core Committee meetings in length, but ASI has initiated the work now and the same may be completed soon,” he said in the report.
The Amicus Curiae also mentioned that restoration work of the crack beam of Natamandap is in urgent need. This work is pending to be attended by ASI since August of 2018.
He urged the court to take stock of the work once in a month or two months so that it may be expedited by the ASI and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration as “the safety of the Jagannath Temple is very important”.