A 12-member team of tribal women left for Puri on Friday with one quintal of the rice after offering the baskets at Jagannath Temple in Koraput, known as Sabari Shreekhetra.

“The Kalajeera Rice will be offered as bhog to the sibling deities. This is an initiative to encourage the farming of the black rice variety,” said Prabhakar Adhikari of Jaivik Sri Farmers Producer Company Limited, the farm that grows Kalajeera rice in Koraput.

The Kalajeera rice, which the tribals of Koraput have been growing for generations, will later also be used to cook the Prasad or Bhog offered at Lingaraj and Ananta Basudev temples in Bhubaneswar, sources said.

Kalajeera rice, also referred to as ‘Prince of Rice’, is an aromatic rice variety grown in Koraput district’s Tolla, Patraput, Pujariput, Baliguda and Mohuli areas. According to ancient text, Kalajeera rice improves memory and controls diabetes. It is believed to increase haemoglobin levels and the body metabolism. This fragrant grain has antispasmodic, stomachic, carminative, antibacterial, astringent and sedative properties.

Jaivik Sri Farmers Producer Company Limited of Pujariput had with the support of the Odisha government and National Bank For Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) applied for the registry of Koraput Kalajeera Rice on January 11, 2022. It was accorded GI tag by Chennai-based Geographical Indication Registry along with six other products, unique to Odisha, in January.

Amicus curiae N K Mohanty the status report in the High Court regarding the restoration work of Natamandap (Dancing Hall) in the 12th century shrine.

According to sources, the amicus curiae informed the HC that a meeting has been scheduled between December 19 and 21. A detailed discussion on the beam design in the meeting. Finalisation of the future course of action will also be done.

As per information, some works have already been undertaken as part of the restoration measures. These include the dismantling of the decorative wooden framed ceiling of the central column area which has been stored in the SJT Museum of the temple complex.

This apart, the de-plastering of the corbel stone members in the four directions with joint sealing of the de-plastering has been done, sources said.

During a visit to the Pilgrim Town on the day, Pandian reviewed the progress of the heritage corridor works with the officials of the project.

During the review meeting, he suggested preservation of all small temples and restoration of the mutts in the area under project. He also asked them to speed up the landscaping on three sides of the temple wall, electrification and sanitation works and effluent treatment plant in time.

Reviewing the arrangements for the devotees, Pandian stressed on hassle-free darshan for them. He directed to keep all the approaching roads to the temple free of encroachment and provide parking space for two-wheelers of the servitors.

MLA Pranab Prakash Das, Puri collector and SP, OBCC MD and officials of the executing agencies of the project accompanied Pandian during his visit.