New Delhi: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee met with the Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Dr. Yadubir Singh Rawat here to streamline critical conservation efforts for the 12th-century shrine. This high-level interaction centered on balancing the structural integrity of the ancient lithic edifice with its profound religious sanctity.
A primary focus of Dr. Padhee’s proposal was the immediate commencement of conservation work on the Bhoga Mandapa, the sanctified hall of offerings. Recognizing the vulnerability of the centuries-old stone masonry, he urged the ASI to prioritize its restoration to prevent further weathering.
In a significant move toward structural diagnostics, Dr. Padhee requested the deployment of a specialized technical team to evaluate the iron beams installed on the exterior of the Jagamohana roughly a century ago. Given the coastal environment’s corrosive impact, assessing the load-bearing stability of these vintage reinforcements is considered vital for the temple’s long-term safety.
The discussion further delved into the aesthetic and protective treatment of the temple’s exterior. This includes the Heritage Illumination project, designed to highlight the architectural grandeur of the Kalinga style, alongside the precise joint sealing and chemical treatment of the main temple’s outer surfaces to arrest water seepage and biological growth.
SJTA Chief, Dr. Padhee also expressed his gratitude to the ASI for their ongoing technical cooperation regarding the Ratna Bhandar. He emphasized that the upcoming repair and conservation of the inner treasury must ensure absolute structural safety, honoring both the archaeological importance and the sacred nature of the site.