The State Government has urged the Centre to immediately withdraw the Draft Heritage Bylaws issued by the National Monuments Authority (NMA) relating to the Ananta Basudev an Brahmeswar Temples of Ekamra Kshetra.
Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra has written to Union Culture Secretary Raghavendra Singh in this regard. Mahapatra has pointed out that there is serious discontentment from sevayats, devotees, people at large and people’s representatives against this publication as these temples host living deities and the publication was done without any consultation with the stakeholders.
The heritage bylaws relating to the Puri Jagannath Temple have been withdrawn by the NMA, pointed out the Chief Secretary, adding, however, the draft notification relating to the Ekamra Kshetra temples are still in force.
The largest congregation of devotees in Ekamra Kshetra would take place on March 11 on the occasion of Shiva Ratri, said Mahapatra. It is important to have a peaceful atmosphere and full cooperation of sevayats for conducting this event, said he.