Orissa HC pulls up Jagannath temple administration

The Orissa High Court on Thursday expressed its displeasure over the delays by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in deciding when the prayer hall (Jagamohan) of the temple would be thrown open to devotees visiting the 12th century shrine.

“Inform the Court in an affidavit positively by April 10 about your decision on opening of the Jagamohan. Or else, be prepared for the initiation of stringent legal action by summoning the Chief Administrator for a personal appearance,” a Bench headed by Chief Justice Vineet Saran warned.

Repair work

The prayer hall of the temple has been kept out of bounds for devotees since the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) took up its repair works two years ago on January 27, 2016. On March 16 this year, the ASI informed the High Court that the repair works are over and the hall can now be made accessible to the devotees.

But pleading one reason or another, the temple administration has been delaying its opening. On Thursday, the temple administration again informed the Court that the Jagamohan cannot be opened before July 26 on account of the upcoming annual Rath Yatra.

Earlier, the temple administration, endorsing a decision of the Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, had taken a stand that since the treasury (Ratna Bhandar) of the temple was in continuity with Jagamohan, the same structure should be inspected to find out if it needed any repair or not.

Upon the High Court’s nod for inspection, the Ratna Bhandar was inspected by a team of 16 experts on Wednesday. A partial report on this inspection has been submitted in the High Court in a sealed cover.