Bhubaneswar: Noting that the Nata Mandap and Jagamohan of Puri Jagannath Temple are in a precarious condition, the amicus curiae appointed by the Orissa High Court has stressed the need for immediate steps to undertake repair work.
In a report submitted to the High Court, amicus curiae N K Mohanty has expressed apprehension about the safety of these structures and said anything can happen any moment.
If something happens to the two structures, it can also have a serious impact on the main temple, the report said. The report was prepared following a petition filed over the safety of the Nata Mandap and Jagamohan of the 12th century shrine.
Sharing information about the report, petitioner’s counsel Alok Mohapatra reportedly said the amicus curiae has stated that the main beam of the Nata Mandap, which acts as a cantilever from both sides, is in a pathetic condition and any mishap can take place anytime.
As per the report submitted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), no works are being carried out at the Jagamohan, it said, adding that a crack developed in the ‘pidha’ of the Jagamohan is visible and the layers of the stones have also been displaced, while the iron beam is getting damaged due to rust. All these require urgent attention.
Voicing concern over the condition of internal structures, servitors of the shrine said repair work should be taken up immediately to prevent further damage. Though the temple is being given an attractive look from outside, not much is being done inside the shrine, they claimed.
Senior servitor Binayak Das Mohapatra said repair work should be taken up on a priority basis to prevent any mishap and further damage to different structures of the shrine.
Senior ASI officials, however, maintained that the cracks that have developed are minor in nature and these would be repaired.
The next hearing on the petition has been posted for September 13.
