The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Saturday assured that it would complete the grouting work of at least five of the eight damaged pockets of the Jagamohan, the prayer hall facing the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, before the Snan Yatra of the deities on June 20.
Attending a meeting presided over by Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb here, ASI Core Committee Chairman Gopal Chandra Mitra said, “If everything goes smooth, we aim to complete the grouting work of five pockets before the Snan Purnima.”
“Work on the remaining three pockets will be completed and frames will be erected inside the pocket after the (deities’) Anabasar period. We plan to go about it in a phased and scheduled manner so that the renovation work does not affect the rituals of the deities,” added Mitra.
“Renovation work of the single pocket located behind the sanctum sanctorum will be taken up later,” he mentioned.
The Gajapari Maharaja said, “The ASI will undertake the repair works, which are badly needed before the Snan Yatra. We have to ensure that there is no problem in the rituals of Snan Yatra and Anabasara of the Trinity,” said he.
“Soon after the Rath Yatra on July 6, the experts of IIT, Chennai will inspect the Jagamohan and discuss the next course of action,” Deb added.