Puri Priests stall Demolition of Temple
Encroachment

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Jul 22, 2012 — JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — Jagannath Temple administration's attempt to demolish a building close to the entrance of 12th century shrine in Puri came a cropper on Sunday following protest by a section of priests, who claim to have owned the building since 1889.

Observing that the building of Pratihari Nijog (a priests' body) was a structural threat to the main temple, the shrine administration last week decided to pull down the old structure. As the authorities of Archeological Survey of India (ASI) were setting up scaffolding to demolish it, the Pratihari priests stalled the process and sat on dharna, demanding revocation of the demolition order.

"The building belongs to Pratihari Nijog since decades. Though it was recorded in the name of Jagannath Temple, Nijog is the caretaker. Besides, we have been observing certain rituals of Lord Jagannath in the building," Nijog's secretary Birakishore Mahapatra said.

The agitating priests alleged that the shrine administration is trying to demolish the building without any consultation with them.

"Let the administration talk with us and reach a consensus. We will not allow the demolition without discussion," Mahapatra said.

Temple officials said they are going ahead with the demolition after the High Court's nod. "The HC has clearly asked the temple administration to take steps to ensure safety of the temple. The technical experts' committee recommended demolition of the structure," temple's Public Relations Officer Laxmidhar Pujapanda said.

Sources said the Nijog had moved the HC recently after the temple turned down the former's proposal of transferring the ownership status of the building in its name. The Nijog in 2005 wanted to acquire the building by paying Rs nine hundred under the uniform land policy of Jagannath Temple Act. But the temple administration rejected the proposal in view of security concerns for the building.

Recently the Puri district administration demolished portions of Badachhata mutt and Chhauni mutt, located on both sides of the temple entrance, on security grounds. But encroachment around the outer wall (Meghanad Pacheri) of Jagannath Temple continues to pose a threat, as the district administration is struggling to evict unauthorized vendors from the restricted area.