Puri Gajapati moots 5 proposals for developing Puri Dham

Bhubaneswar: Puri Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb has met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and presented a five-point plan for overall development of Shri Jagannath temple and Gundicha temple in the pilgrim town.

Deb, who is also the chairman of the Jagannath Temple’s managing committee, met the chief minister at the State Secretariat yesterday and made a PowerPoint presentation seeking the chief minister’s approval for plans related to the development of the Puri Dham.

Plans pertaining to renovation of three ‘mathas’ near the Sri Jagannath temple were presented during the meeting, Deb said.

He sought development and beautification of Sri Gundicha Temple, where Lord Jagannth spends seven days during the annual Rath Yatra.

Plans for proposed development of a heritage garden at Jagannath Ballav Matha and amenities for tourists there were also presented before the chief minister.

Beautification of ‘Bada Danda’ (Grand Road) and development of ‘Atharanala’, an entry point to Puri town, and restoration of the concerned water body were the other proposals which Dibyasingha Deb put forth before the chief minister.

“Under the Srimandira Adarsha Gurukulam scheme, free education would be provided to the children of all the servitors of Shri Jagannath temple.

This apart, modern education will be given to the children. Education on Hindu rituals will also be imparted in the Gurukulam scheme,” Deb told reporters.

He also discussed a housing scheme for the poor servitors with the chief minister.