Puri: Repair work of the Natamandap (Dancing Hall) of the Jagannath Temple in Puri will begin today.
According to sources, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will carry out the repair work till March 19. The repair work will be carried out daily from 1pm to 7 pm.
A decision in this regard was taken at Chhatisa Nijog meeting held on February 21. It was also decided in the meeting that the Lion’s Gate will be opened at 2 am and the Ratra Pahuda ritual will be carried out at 11 pm for the smooth conduct of temple rituals.
It may be mentioned that the decision to repair Natamandap was taken after Lawyer N K Mohanty, amicus curiae in the PIL on conservation of the Jagannath Temple, Puri, had informed the Orissa High Court that the cracked beam inside the Natamandap calls for urgent repair work.
In a report submitted, Mohanty had made it clear that repair of the cracked beam inside the Natamandap is the need of the hour because the chance of accident cannot be ruled out at any time as the cracked structure is working as a cantilever from both sides.
To address the issue, the ASI has decided to place a support beam under the cracked beam. The structural beam will be there to avert pressure during any structural imbalance or disaster.
