A day after visit of the Supreme Court-appointed Amicus Curiae to Puri for inspection of the ongoing eviction drive around the Jagannath Temple and his support for the State Government’s beautification project for the pilgrimage city, demolition of another mutt was undertaken on Sunday.
The 14th-Century Bada Akhada Mutt with 36 rooms was ultimately reduced to debris.
In the morning, six high-end machines reached the spot and started demolishing the mutt in the presence 15 platoons of police. They operated from multiple sides; and by evening, the work was completed.
Baring a temple and the Gadighar, a room used by the founding Mahant (abbot), the administration successfully cleared the 600-year-old monastery of the Naga cult, located close to the Jaganath Temple
This is the third ancient monastery the administration demolished after clearing the Languli Mutt and the Emar Mutt facing the Grand Road (Badadanda).
Before the eviction, Mahant Hari Narayan Das Maharaj along with his pupils, who had earlier opposed demolition of their mutt, were shifted to a guesthouse near the Grand Road near the temple. They will stay there for some days till further arrangements.
The demolition didn’t witness any opposition when many people were seen watching the work. Sources said some other mutts and private buildings and shops would be demolished on Monday.
After a green signal from the Amicus Curiae, the district administration has come to a mission mode again to make the proposed Heritage Corridor a success. The administration has set a target to complete the project before the upcoming Nabajauban Besha of Lord Jaganath to be held next year.