The Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee has approved an impressive Rs. 413 crore annual budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025, as announced by Chief Administrator Aravind Padhi on Friday. The decision was made during a comprehensive meeting where the committee also reviewed a three-member panel report on a recent mishap during the Pahandi of Balabhadra at the Gundicha Temple.
Padhi expressed gratitude to the state government for its significant contribution of Rs. 500 crore to the temple’s corpus fund. He highlighted that the temple’s financial status has improved markedly, with substantial recoveries from stone quarry owners. As of Thursday, Rs. 975 crore was credited to the fund, and an additional Rs. 27 crore was added on Friday, bringing the total corpus fund to over Rs. 1,000 crore. Including the state government’s contribution, the total corpus now exceeds Rs. 1,500 crore.
The Managing Committee chose not to accept the initial report from the three-member panel regarding the Pahandi incident. Instead, they have directed the panel to conduct a reinvestigation to determine the incident’s cause and identify those responsible. This includes reviewing video recordings, live broadcast footage, and interviewing eyewitnesses.
Several new initiatives were approved during the meeting:
Natamandap Air Conditioning and Gold Plating: The committee approved the proposal to install air conditioning in the Natamandap and to gold plate the gates of the Ratna Bhandaras.
Elevated Viewing Area: A plan was sanctioned to create an elevated viewing area near the Baharkath, allowing devotees a better view of the deities. A separate queue will be established for elderly devotees, children, and those with disabilities.
Pahandi Procedures: To enhance the Pahandi process, experienced servitors will now be responsible for tying the Chhateni rope on the deities’ Chena pattas. The number of servitors involved in each chariot’s Pahandi will be strictly regulated, and unauthorized individuals will be barred from the chariots with oversight from senior officers.
Additionally, the committee has requested the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to perform a geophysical laser scan of the Ratna Bhandar, which will be followed by necessary repairs and conservation work. The ASI is expected to respond soon.
In a move to modernize temple operations, the Sri Jagannath Temple will soon launch its own FM channel. The Odisha Space Applications Centre (ORSAC) will conduct a digital survey of the temple’s land, and all land documents will be digitized. The donation cells will also be fortified.
The committee approved several community welfare measures, including financial incentives for servitor community athletes and scholarships for meritorious students seeking higher education.
Regarding the stock of 14,000 quintals of Arpan rice collected during the inauguration of Srimandir Parikrama, the district collector has submitted a report to the state government and is awaiting further instructions.
These decisions reflect the committee’s commitment to improving temple facilities, enhancing security, and supporting the servitor community while ensuring the continuity of daily rituals.
