To give the Jagannath Temple here a new look, as many as eight doors inside the shrine are going to have silver cladding soon. Within next two to three days, the works will begin for the eight doors which include five of the main shrine and three of the side temples.
In a major decision on Wednesday, while the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) announced silver cladding of doors, it also extended the restriction on pilgrims’ entry to shrine till July 25. So, the prevailing ban which is already in force against entry of devotees will continue till the end of Bahuda Yatra scheduled July 20. After a meeting of a group and technical persons and servitors, SJTA Chief Administrator Krishan Kumar said that around two tonnes of silver would be used in the cladding of the doors at 8 places. He said two committees consisting technical persons and servitors would operate separately towards modelling of the doors for which woods have already reached the temple. Sources said the doors of JayVijay, Sata Pahacha, Bhoga Mandap, Beheran and Kalahata of main shrine would be silver plated. Besides, the doors of Muktimadap Nrusingha, Goddess Mahalakshmi and Goddess Bimala of the main shrine would also be plated with silver.
A generous person would bear the cost of silver cladding. Arts of Raghuajpur would be carved on the doors to give them a classical looks. The donor would also employ own technicians and artisans in remodelling of the doors which would start soon.