Govt wants archaeology dept to restore smaller temples around Lingaraj shrine

Bhubaneswar: The government has asked authorities of the state archaeology department to prepare an action plan for the restoration of a number of small temples located around the Lingaraj Temple.
Development commissioner Suresh Mohapatra on Wednesday chaired a meeting in this regard that was attended by senior officials of the state culture department and state archaeology.
“There are many small temples around Lingaraj Temple which are not Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monuments. We want to restore these age-old temples as part of the EKAMRA plan. A meeting was held in this regard and the state archaeology department has been asked to prepare an action plan for proper restoration of these small temples,” said a senior government official who attended the meeting.
After the archaeology department prepares the action plan, the government will take a call on the next course of action.
Though the old town, referred to as the Ekamra Kshetra, has more than 500 small temples, sources said over 30 small temples are located within the 65 acres of area which is being developed under the EKAMRA project.
Under the EKAMRA plan, the state government has planned to develop the periphery around the 11th century Lingaraj Temple. A number of commercial and residential structures are being cleared within the identified area between the Lingaraj Temple and Bindu Sagar to create substantial space and facilities for devotees.
The state government plans barrier-free access between the 11th century shrine and Bindu sagar, the sacred pond that has historical connection with the shrine. Facilities like parking space, food plaza, Bhajan Mandap and convention centre are part of the project.
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has been assigned to acquire land for the EKAMRA project, which is on-going. The final plan for the project has also been designed, which is being reviewed every week, said a source in the state works department, the implementing agency for the project.
As Puri and EKAMRA projects are two of the top priority areas of the state government, chief minister Naveen Patnaik recently reviewed their progress and asked officials to expedite their work. The state government has earmarked Rs 150 crore for the project for the 2020-21 financial year.
EoM