Former MlA Bibhudhendra Pratap Das has urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to construct a temple akin to the existing Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri to uphold the rich Jagannath culture for the years to come.
“lovers of lord Jagannath have been saddened hearing about the ‘unsafe’ condition of the Shreemandir from an expert like Gopal Chandra Mitra. Falling of large stones from the temple at different times has also substantiated his revelation of the shrine’s precarious condition. In view of this, the Government should construct an alternative temple,” demanded Das in a letter to the Chief Minister.
Das, also the advisor of the Shree Jagannath Shree Kedarnath Temple Managing Committee, Patharagarh, Dhenkanal, has opined that the Government should accept reality in interest of crores of lord Jagannath devotees and construct a temple anew.
He reminded the Chief Minister that the his Government had turned down proposals of some MlAs to construct an alternative temple on the plea that a structure akin to the present Shree Jagannath Temple is not possible from technological point of view.
“But it is right time now that an alternative temple is constructed in the Anand Bazaar area. The Government should start discussions with Jagadguru Shankaracharya, Pandits of Muktimandap and expert stone sculptors,” suggested Das.
He further argued that if the Government starts an initiative, funds would start flowing from common people and more than required funds would be available.