Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today approved the proposed master plan for the improvement of Shree Loknath Temple in Puri and Alarnath Peetha in Brahmagiri.
While Rs 28 crore has been earmarked for the development of Sri Loknath Temple, Rs 8 crore has been earmarked for Alarnath. The re-development of both the temples will be completed within 1 year.
Shri Loknath Temple is one of the most important Shaivapithas of the state. According to Puranas, Lord Ram came in search of Mother Sita and installed Lord Loknath here and worshiped. Shri Loknath is believed to be the custodian of the jewels of the Jagannath temple.
According to the master plan of Sri Loknath temple, the inner gate, outer gate of the temple will be improved and various facilities will be arranged for the servants and devotees. Apart from this, parking, modern road traffic system, improvement of approach road and special parking will be arranged for the convenience of servicemen at the west gate.
The old marble stones will be removed and the sword lights will be installed in the inner gate. The temple garden will be improved and land sleeping will be done. Apart from this, the temple wall will be repaired along with lighting arrangements.
Along with widening of the outer square, there will be repair of broken areas, new roads, landscaping, lighting, building space and development of two mundan mandaps. Since drainage is a major problem, the drainage system will be improved both inside and outside the temple.
The Puskarani Parvatsagara of the temple will also be improved. It will have 267 meters of elevated wall around it, refinement of footpaths, steps, landscaping, lighting and space for construction. Arrangements will also be made for parking.
The 4 meter approach road leading to the temple will be improved and 4 roads will be developed. Four major roads connected to the temple will also be improved.
Similarly, the famous Alarnath temple of Brahnagiri will also be developed. Located 24 km from Puri and 25 km from Satpada, this temple is believed to have been built in the 15th and 16th centuries. Shri Alarnath is believed to be the counterpart of Shri Jagannath. Devotees go for Alarnath Darshan during the Ansar of Sri Jagannath.
As per the master plan, the entire Anchal will be developed and turned into an attractive tourist area with the development and beautification of its entry and exit points, local inner roads, Arun Pillar, Chandan Pond etc.
Its entrance will be widened to 40 feet wide and 18 feet high. Swordlights stone will be installed in it. The road leading to the temple will be made 40 feet wide with paver blocks and drains will be provided on both sides.
Along with this, parking arrangements will be made for 2-wheeler and 4-wheeler vehicles. The area in front of the temple will be converted into a beautiful plaza by installing sword lights and paver blocks along with drains.
Marble will be removed from all parts of the temple and sword lights will be installed. New wooden doors will be installed in place of old doors.
Landscaping will be done by beautifying sandalwood pond and tulsi forest. Drainage system will be improved. Rs 8 crore will be spent on the development of this peeth and it will take 1 year to complete the work.
It is worth noting that under the instructions of the CM Secretary to CM (5T) recently visited both Loknath Temple and Alarnath Temple and ordered the preparation of its master plan.
The priests of both the temples thanked the CM for the improvement of the temple through video conferencing with Puri District Collector and invited him to visit the temple. The Chief Minister said that he will visit both the temples soon.
Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian coordinated the meeting. He shared vital inputs based on the discussions he had with the servitors during visit to the temples.
Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Development Commissioner PK Jena, and senior officials were present. Works Secretary VV Yadav made a presentation over video conference. Odisha Bridge Construction Corporation will carry out the modernisation works.
