HC concern over delay in  opening Jagamohan

CUTTACK:  Orissa High Court on Thursday expressed disappointment over the dilly-dally attitude of Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in declaring the date for opening Jagamohan (Prayer Hall) of the temple to public. As per the earlier direction on March 29, the SJTA was on Thursday expected to apprise the court of exact date of opening the Jagamohan to facilitate repair of the Natamandap (Dancing Hall).

When the matter came up on the day, the SJTA, without mentioning the date for opening of Jagamohan, filed an affidavit stating that there is a necessity for repair of Jay-Vijay Dwar and the Jagamohan would be opened for public after its repair. On March 22, the SJTA had informed the court that for facilitating repair and conservation work of Natamandap, the Jagamohan would be opened after repair and conservation of Ratna Bhandar (Treasury) of the temple.

Observing the pleas of SJTA for making unnecessary delay in opening Jagamohan, the division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Vineet Saran and Justice BR Sarangi, which clarified that Jay-Vijay Dwar is part of Natamandap, directed SJTA to apprise the court as to when Jagamohan will be opened and repair of Natamandap taken up while posting the next date for hearing to March 10. The court has been monitoring the repair of Natamandap after amicus curiae NK Mohanty submitted a report on November 8 pointing out that condition of roof above the Garuda Stambha is in distress condition and needs immediate repair.