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28 May 2022 Jagannath Puri Corridor

Posted at 15:17h in Daily current-affairs by khyati khare 0 Comments

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Odisha government’s ambitious temple corridor project in Puri has become a subject of political controversy.

It is the Odisha government’s redevelopment project to make Puri an International Heritage Site, including the Jagannath Temple. Though it was conceived in the year 2016, it was unveiled in December 2019.
Under this umbrella project, the areas of Shree Jagannath Heritage Corridor or Shree Mandir Parikrama Project are covered.
The project includes Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) building redevelopment, a 600-capacity Shree Mandir Reception Centre, Puri Lake, Musa River Rejuvenation Scheme etc.
The Odisha government has listed three objectives for the improvement of the area around the temple – security of the temple, protection of devotees and creation of religious atmosphere for the devotees.
The government has allocated funds for the project related to development of infrastructure and development of heritage and architecture in Puri (ABADHA) scheme.
ABADHA scheme covers land acquisition fee/rehabilitation and road improvement to provide better facilities in and around Shri Jagannath Temple.

Experts and members of civil society objected to the use of heavy machinery for excavation, citing the potential for adverse effects on the 12th century temple.
Questions were raised about whether proper permissions and approvals were obtained for construction around the temple.
Jagannath Temple has been designated a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India and is a centrally protected monument.
Large scale demolition and construction work is taking place within 100 to 200 meters area of the temple which is prohibited by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Verification) Act (AMSAR), 2010.

As per the AMSAR (Amendment and Recognition) Act, construction work is prohibited within a radius of 100 meters of the protected area.
The area around the monument extending up to 200 meters is called the regulated zone.
As per the provisions of the AMSAR Act, the National Monuments Authority (NMA) established in the year 2011 under the Ministry of Culture is in charge of protection and conservation of ASI-protected sites by managing the prohibited and regulated area within the periphery of such site. The Hindu Analysis
Permission from the NMA is required if construction is to be carried out in a regulated or prohibited area.
The term “construction” as defined in the AMSAR Act does not include construction of public toilets, urinals and “like facilities”.
It does not include water, electricity supply or “provision of similar facilities for publicity”.
In addition, if the built up area of the monument is more than 5,000 square metres, an impact assessment is also required to be done by the NMA before development around the monument.

It is believed that this temple was built in the 12th century by King Anantvarman Chodagung Dev of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
Jagannath Temple at Puri is also called ‘Yamanika Tirtha’, according to Hindu beliefs, the power of ‘Yama’, the god of death has ended due to the presence of Lord Jagannath in Puri.
This temple was called “White Pagoda” and is part of the Chardham pilgrimage (Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri, Rameshwaram).
The temple has four main gates (‘Singh Dwar’ in the east, ‘Ashwa Dwar’ in the south, ‘Vyaghara Dwar’ in the west and ‘Hasti Dwar’ in the north). Each door is carved.
Opposite its entrance stands the Arun Stambh or Surya Pillar, which was originally installed in the Sun Temple at Konark.