ASI to inspect small temples inside Jagannath Temple premises

The Orissa High Court today directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to inspect all small temples and the 'Mukti Mandap' located inside the premises of Shree Jagannath Temple at Puri and report within a month, on whether any of the structures need repair works.

A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Vineet Saran and Justice B R Sarangi, also asked the Puri district administration and the temple administration to cooperate and extend all necessary support to the ASI in carrying out its inspection.

Prominent temples inside the premises include Nrushingha temple, Bimala, Maha Laxmi, Surjya, Pancha Mahadeva, Satya Narayana, Bata Mangala and Ganesh Temple.

"It is one of the satisfying days for all Jagannath devotees as the high court has now decided to monitor the repair works of all the small temples adjacent to the 'Bada Deula' (The Grand Temple)," said senior advocate Ashok Mohapatra, appearing for the petitioner, Abhisek Das.

The petitioner had approached the high court about two years ago seeking the court's intervention in the repair works of the Jagamohan (prayer hall) of the Jagannath Temple.

The temple administration submitted an affidavit in the high court today stating that the orders passed by the court on April 10 and on April 19 have been complied with.

The affidavit said as per the directions of the high court, the Jagamohan has been thrown open to the devotees and they are having a 'darshan' of the deities from the 'Bhitar Katha'.