Shree Mandir Parikrama Prakalpa: First Phase of Yajna to Begin from Friday

Bhubaneswar: The launching of Shree Mandir Parikrama, also called Jagannath Heritage Corridor Project, of Lord Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Puri will formally begin with a 'Yajna' and 'Anukra Ropana' ritual on Friday.

This was informed on Thursday by the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) soon after the Shree Mandir Managing Committee (SMC) meeting presided over by Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb.

The ‘Yanja’ and ‘Anukra Ropana’ are prelude to the formal inaugural ceremony which will take place on January 17.

According to SJTA chief administrator Ranjan Das, various other rituals and related works will be carried on for three days – from January to 17.  

The SMC meeting deliberated on the schedule for the inauguration of the Shree Mandir Parikrama Prakalpa. Sources said the Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation (OBCC) which is executing the project has handed over the completed project to the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).  The outer beautification work of 27 mutts and three temples well within the limits of the Srimandir Parikrama Prakalpa has been completed while some works of three other mutts are yet to be completed.

The state police will make security arrangements for the inauguration ceremony. For three days, people, devotees, and all activities will be under CCTV surveillance in the pilgrim city.

SJTA chief administrator Ranjan Das said, “Before the beginning of the first phase of rituals, the works of the Parikrama Prakalpa will be reviewed. The process of project handover will be approved this evening. The OBCC will hand over the project to the engineers of the state works department this evening. The engineers will check all project components.”

He also added that the first phase of the 'Yajna' and 'Ankura Ropana' will begin today and all works have reached the final phase.

On December 31 last year, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik had approved Rs 155.88 crore for creating people’s awareness at the panchayat level about Rs 800-crore Shree Mandir Parikrama Prakalpa.

The project features all modern amenities, including a queue management facility for 6,000 devotees, baggage screening facility, cloakroom for keeping belongings of nearly 4,000 families, drinking water, toilet facilities, facilities for washing hands/feet, information-cum-donation kiosks, shelter pavilions for shade and rest, multi-level car parking, dedicated shuttle cum emergency lane for accommodating police, fire and emergency vehicles, an integrated command and control centre and souvenir shop among others.