The groundbreaking for the much-awaited Shree Mandir Parikrama Prakalp (Heritage Corridor Project) would start from November 24 with a grand ceremony.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would grace the mega religious-cultural event and Maha Yajna, which would be held at the north-east corner of the temple any day between November 21 and 24 with a ‘Purnahuti’ on the last day, said SJTA Chief Administrator Dr Krishan Kumar.
Over 350 guests, including saints, from various parts of the world would join the ceremony.
Notably, the Puri district administration had carried out an extensive eviction drive in the vicinity of the 12th-century shrine to make way for the Heritage Corridor following a State Cabinet resolution for construction of the showpiece developmental project.
The project is being implemented within a 75-metre radius of the Meghanada Pacheri of the temple. The State Government has earmarked Rs 800 crore for the project.
The project, divided into nine zones and to be completed in three phases, includes Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration (SJTA) building redevelopment, a Shreemandir reception centre, a Jagannath cultural centre, including Raghunandan library, an integrated command and control centre, Badadanda heritage streetscape, temple amenities improvement, a Sri Setu, a Jagannath Ballav pilgrim centre, multilevel car parking, municipal market development, Swargdwar development, Pramod Udyan, Gurukulam, Mahodadhi market, beach front development, Puri lake, Musa river revival plan, Atharnala and housing for Sevayats.
So far, around 15.65 acres of land has been acquired for the heritage corridor purchased from 115 families. Many land owners have come forward to hand over their properties for the development of Lord Jagannath Temple.