As part of the ongoing drive in Puri to make the pilgrim city a world-class heritage centre, the district administration on Wednesday began the process of demolition of the famous Emar Mutt situated in front of the Lions Gate of the Jagannath Temple.
Before eviction of a wealthiest monastery of State, the Puri Municipality had tagged a notice on its wall after Mahanta (abbot) Ramanuja Das refused to receive it.
Based on health ground, Mahant did not come from bedroom to receive notice as the civic body officials returned after tagging on the wall. In the drive, the administration first conducted eviction of the Raghunandan Library situated in the mutt’s premises.
Throughout Wednesday, officials were busy in replacement of all the books, files and records besides removing almirahs, racks, tables and chairs from the library premises. The shopkeepers have already vacated after getting eviction notice from the municipality.
However, the temple and three rooms in the Emar Mutt would be protected.
It may take two to three days to evict all the unsafe structure.
As many as seven mutts situated inside 75 meter from Jagannath Temple and also declared unsafe are to be demolished. Also around 200 private houses situated within 75 meter distance would be evicted.
Notably, the Raghunandan Library built in 1921 is famous for housing Puranas, Sastras and palm-leafs imprints. Besides, ancient files, centuries old documents and old records in several languages on history and culture of Jagannath Temple are available. The library was once upon a time an epicenter of knowledge and insight for the global students and researchers who were coming to Puri.
In course of times, the British-time institution has lost its shine and is presently at its receiving end with many valuable documents and records missing.
It has also been declared unsafe by the administration earlier. During the Nabakalebar festival in 2015, some unsafe structures of the Emar Mutt had already been demolished.
Puri Collector Balawant Singh said a new library would be set up in the same name. Singh said all the books, files and records would be preserved by digitalising them.
He, however, stated the people losing houses or shops would be accommodated in the Jagannathbalabh Mutt,Habisha centres and other public places. Besides, they would be given financial help.