Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor Project

In News

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

About 

• Archaeological Survey of India noted in a report submitted to the Orissa High Court that there was every possibility of archaeological remains at the heritage site being destroyed due to the excavation work for the corridor.
• The ASI found a sculpture of a lion, which possibly dates back to the Ganga dynasty.
  • This is the third such lion sculpture found during the excavation work. 
• East Ganga Dynasty: It had ruled Kalinga, as Odisha was called in ancient times, from the early fifth century to the early 15th century.

Puri Heritage Corridor Project

• It is a ?3,200-crore redevelopment project of the Odisha government in Puri to create an international heritage site, including the 800-year-old Jagannath temple. 
• Under the umbrella project falls the Shree Jagannatha Heritage Corridor (SJHC) or the Shree Mandira Parikrama Project, for the revamp of the area around the temple.
• Objectives: The Odisha government has listed three objectives for the revamp of the area around the temple:
  • The security of the temple, 
  • The safety of devotees, and 
  • The creation of a religious atmosphere for devotees.

Issues Raised in the Project

• Structural threat: 
  • The scale at which the process is underway, can pose potential threats to structural safety of the Puri Jagannath Temple. 
• Flaunting AMASR Act:
  • Under the The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, any new construction within 100 metres of a temple are prohibited. 

Jagannath Puri Temple

• About: 
  • Shree Jagannath Puri Temple is one of the most impressing monuments of the State of Odisha.
  • The temple was built in the 12th Century AD by King Anatavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
  • Jagannath Puri temple is called ‘Yamanika Tirtha’ where, according to the Hindu beliefs, the power of ‘Yama’, the god of death has been nullified in Puri due to the presence of Lord Jagannath, popularly known as Lord Krishna.
  • It is one of the Dhammas (Holiest of the holy place) out of four Dhamas i.e. Puri, Dwarika, Badrinath & Rameswar, in India.
  • This temple was called the “White Pagoda” and is a part of Char Dham pilgrimages (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram).
• Architectural features of the temple:
  • The entire temple complex is enclosed within two concentric walls, the Kuruma Bheda (Inner wall) and the Meghnad Pachira (Wall).
  • There are four gates to the temple- Eastern ‘Singhdwara’ which is the main gate with two crouching lions, Southern ‘Ashwadwara’, Western ‘Vyaghra Dwara’ and Northern ‘Hastidwara’. There is a carving of each form at each gate.
  • The main entrance to the temple is through Singhadwara located on the Eastern Front of the temple with three other entrances along with the four cardinal directions.
  • The Nilachakra – Or the Blue wheel perched on top of the temple is made of eight metals or ashtadhatu.
  • The Aruna stambha– the 33 ft monolith structure pillar in front of the Singhadwar or the main entrance of the temple was originally located at the Sun Temple, Konark.
• Festivals associated:
  • Devasnana Purnima – The annual bathing ritual, where the holy trinity is brought out from their sanctum seated in a raised platform and bathed with purified water drawn from a well within the temple premises.
  • Chariot Festival – This happens during the month of June/July. During the festival, the Lord comes out to the street to greet his devotees, people irrespective of caste, creed & colour can seek his blessings.

Source: TH