After the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Delhi, cleared the State ASI core committee’s proposal to repair the Jagamohan of the Puri Jagannath Temple, now a Herculean task before the committee is to repair the most damaged north-west portion of the structure.
The Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had asked the ASI to remove the scaffolding from the Jagamohan by June 15 to facilitate the observance of Snan Purnima ritual of deities scheduled for June 20.
With barely a couple weeks in hand, it is most difficult to conduct the repairs. Sources said the ASI would ask the temple to allow them a couple of days more to accomplish the job.
The State technical core committee members accompanied by the representative of Daita Nijog on Monday examined the damaged portion of the Jagamohan for four hours. Earlier, a meeting of the core committee, SJTA officials and Daitapatis was held inside the temple complex. The ASI complained that the daily rituals of the deities were not completed as per the given time frame.
Inordinate delays in nitees leave only 3 to 4 hours for repair work. This delays grouting work. As per arrangements, it was resolved to complete all nitees before 11am to let the ASI start their work and end it by 6pm for the daily nitees of the deities to resume again. The committee pleaded with the servitors and the temple authority to adhere to the fixed schedule to complete the repairs.
According to Dharmuprasad Mishra, a core committee member, the dislodged capital stone over the pillar on the north-west holding the roof would be set right and reinforced with steel and laminated before the Snaan purnima ritual. The repair of seven damaged pockets work would be taken up after the Rath Yatra of the deities.