The nearly 1,000-year-old famous Emar Mutt was demolished on Thursday amidst tight security. With the help of half a dozen heavy-duty machines, the demolition of the mutt’s roofs behind the Raghunandan Library was undertaken.
During the demolition, a mysterious multilayer underground corridor covered with trees and dense bushes was located in the mutt premises. It has a door to outsides and is stretched underground.
The rats and bats-infested secret room is 50 feet long and 12 feet dip. Concerned officials have sought assistance of a snake helpline before entry into the dark rooms, apprehending presence of venomous serpents and reptiles inside. With help of snake experts, the officials would enter the rooms to explore the construction details and their uses.
There are rumours in the town about possible treasure troves bearing gold and diamond inside the old rooms. This suspense emanates from the recovery of more than 400 silver bricks in the mutt a decade ago each weighing 35 to 40 kg. People believe that there are also gold bricks underground.
While the administration is in full swing to clear old structures of the wealthiest monastery, its Mahant (abbot) Ramanuja Das has begun sitting in prayer in his room with the door closed, banning entry of people. Saddened over the demolition of his mutt in his presence, the Mahant has resorted to the prayer, said an insider of the mutt.
Except the temple of the mutt and three rooms, the entire building will be demolished because they have been declared unsafe by the administration since 2006.
Notably, the Emar Mutt was the king of all 752 monasteries situated in Puri with thousands acres of lands spread over the country in their possession in the past. History says that during the great famine in 1866, the Emar Mutt had opened its paddy store and helped save lakhs of people from starvation.
Besides its financial contribution to set up of Bindu Sagar pool in Bhubaneswar, the mutt had established many schools, hostels and libraries. Because of its wealth, its Mahant was being honoured then at par with the King of Puri.