Jagannath temple administration initiates process to open temple for devotees

A three-tier process is being initiated for the opening of the temple, Chief administrator of Sri Jagannath temple Dr Krishan Kumar told newsmen soon after the temple managing committee meeting.

An administrative body comprising the chief administrator, district collector, superintendent of police and other concerned officers of public health would set the modalities for allowing devotees, their volume and process after that Chhatisha nijog the apex body of temple servitors would be consulted in this regard.

In the third phase the proposal would be sent to the state government for approval, Dr Krishan Kumar said.

The next temple body meeting would be held over this on Saturday

This apart, a 154 crore rupees annual budget was passed by the temple body chaired by the Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb in presence of almost all the members of the committee.

Dr Kumar said because of the closure of temple for devotees the temple earnings have been hampered to a great extent and "we are trying to augment income by inviting online donations."

He said while the earnings of the temple nosedived the expenditure went up adding that “we have ensured timely performance of daily nitees and rituals of the deities."

The temple had extended financial assistance to servitors and four monthly instalments were paid and a fifth additional instalment would be released soon Dr Kumar said.

The temple body cleared the proposal for silver plating of the temple doors in a phased manner.

A twenty member technical body has been constituted to oversee the work to be executed in three steps.

First the construction of new wooden doors, then silver plating and in the final stage, the carvings matching with the Odishan temple architecture would be made.

More facilities for devotees would be created by financial support under the ABHADA scheme.

This includes pilgrim shelter homes with other basic amenities he added.

The official temple website, social media like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook would be updated and devotees could see the visible development from January one onwards, Dr Krishan Kumar said.