PURI: THE ongoing repairs and conservation of Jagamohan in Jagannath temple here are expected to be completed before June 2, as fixed earlier, said G C Mitra of the core committee. The committee members visited the temple on Tuesday to assess the progress of the work ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, which is scheduled to be held on June 25.
Mitra told mediapersons that major works such as fixing capitol stone, reinforcing damaged pillars with steel frames, columns and vertical beams have been completed while grouting and other minor works would be done soon.
On repairs of the roof of Jagamohan, Mitra said the work would be taken up during Rath Yatra when deities would remain absent for a fortnight.
The State Government had constituted a body of experts from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), engineers of Works Department and structural experts to monitor the repair and conservation of the temple. The members included ASI Superintendent, Bhubaneswar circle, Hemasagar Abhay Naik, Er PK Bhattacharjee, senior conservator CR Das, engineer NC Pal and superintendent engineer Bindheswar Patra.
The repairs were being conducted after the ASI, Delhi and core committee approved the process. The timing for observance of daily rituals of the Trinity were rescheduled to facilitate the work. Two ante rooms, ‘Bhandar ghar’ and ‘Changada ghar,’ were to be demolished to facilitate the repair and the devotees were allowed to have ‘darshan’ of the Trinity from a distance at ‘Baharkath’. The team had earlier visited the temple in April.