Finance
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today approved the proposed master plan for the improvement of Puri’s Shree Loknath Temple and Brahmagiri’s Alarnath Peetha.
While Rs 28 crore has been set aside for the development of Sri Loknath Temple, Rs 8 crore has been set aside for the development of Alarnath. Both temples’ renovations will be completed within a year.
Shri Loknath Temple is one of the state’s most important Shaivapithas. According to the Puranas, Lord Ram came in search of Mother Sita and worshiped Lord Loknath here. Shri Loknath is thought to be the guardian of the Jagannath temple’s jewels.
The inner and outer gates of the temple will be improved, and various facilities will be provided for the servants and devotees, according to the master plan of the Sri Loknath temple. Aside from that, parking, a modern road traffic system, an improved approach road, and special parking will be provided for servicemen at the west gate.
The old marble stones will be removed, and sword lights installed in the inner gate. The temple garden will be improved, as well as land sleeping. Aside from that, the temple wall and lighting arrangements will be repaired.
Along with the expansion of the outer square, there will be repairs to damaged areas, new roads, landscaping, lighting, building space, and the development of two new mundan mandaps. Since drainage is a major problem, the drainage system will be improved both inside and outside the temple.
The temple’s Puskarani Parvatsagara will also be improved. It will be surrounded by a 267-meter-high elevated wall, as well as improvements to footpaths, steps, landscaping, lighting, and construction space. Parking arrangements will also be made.
The four-meter approach road leading to the temple will be improved, and four new roads will be built. Four major roads leading to the temple will be improved as well.
Similarly, Brahnagiri’s famous Alarnath temple will be developed. This temple, which is located 24 kilometers from Puri and 25 kilometers from Satpada, is thought to have been built between the 15th and 16th centuries. Shri Alarnath is thought to be Shri Jagannath’s polar opposite. During Sri Jagannath’s Ansar, devotees seek Alarnath Darshan.
The entire Anchal will be developed and turned into an attractive tourist area, according to the master plan, with the development and beautification of its entry and exit points, local inner roads, Arun Pillar, Chandan Pond, and so on.
Its entrance will be 40 feet wide and 18 feet tall. It will have a Swordlights stone installed in it. The road leading to the temple will be 40 feet wide, with paver blocks on both sides and drains on both sides.
In addition, parking arrangements for 2-wheeler and 4-wheeler vehicles will be made. The area in front of the temple will be transformed into a lovely plaza by the installation of sword lights, paver blocks, and drains.
All of the marble in the temple will be removed, and sword lights will be installed. The old doors will be replaced with new wooden doors.
The sandalwood pond and the tulsi forest will be landscaped. The drainage system will be upgraded. The development of this peeth will cost Rs 8 crore and will take one year to complete.
It is worth noting that, on the orders of the CM, the Secretary to the CM (5T) recently visited both Loknath and Alarnath Temples and ordered the preparation of their master plans.
Through video conferencing with the Puri District Collector, the priests of both temples thanked the CM for the temple’s improvement and invited him to visit the temple. The Chief Minister said that he will visit both the temples soon.
VK Pandian, Secretary to the CM (5T), organized the meeting. He provided critical information based on discussions he had with the temple servants during his visit.
Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Development Commissioner PK Jena, and other senior officials were in attendance. VV Yadav, the Works Secretary, delivered a presentation via video conference. The modernization will be carried out by the Odisha Bridge Construction Corporation.
Source:OCN
