Lightning Arrestors to Be Installed at Jagannath Temple Subsidiary Shrines; Major Conservation Works Planned

Puri, May 26 : In a significant step towards preserving one of India’s most iconic religious monuments, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have jointly decided to install lightning arrestors in the premises of the historic Jagannath Temple complex in Puri.

At a high-level meeting held on Saturday, SJTA Chief Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee and ASI Director General Dr. Yaduvendra Singh Rawat led discussions on measures to safeguard the temple’s architectural heritage and structural integrity. Among the key initiatives, lightning arrestors will be installed on the high-rise subsidiary temples within the complex, including the Bimala, Mahalaxmi, Bhubaneswari, Adi Nrusingha, and Surya Temples.

The meeting also laid out a roadmap for the chemical cleaning and surface treatment of the outer stone surfaces of the main temple. This conservation effort is aimed at preserving the sanctity and aesthetics of the centuries-old shrine, which attracts millions of devotees and tourists annually.

Special emphasis was placed on critical restoration work in the sanctum sanctorum (Garbha-Griha) of the temple, which will be undertaken during the upcoming Ratha Yatra. Officials reviewed the progress of pending conservation and repair works in the Ratna Bhandar (treasury), and underscored the need for timely completion.

Other agenda items included the installation of a ramp system at the North Gate to assist aged and differently abled devotees, the proposal for an air-conditioning system in the Nata Mandapa (dancing hall), facade lighting of the temple, and conservation of the outer sloping roof of the Jagamohana.

The ASI delegation included senior officials such as DDG (Conservation) Janhwij Sharma, Director (Conservation) Bhima Azmira, Director (Science) Manoj Bhatnagar, Regional Director Dr. Dillip Khamari, and other local officers. Representing SJTA, Development Administrator Debabrata Sahoo and OSD Works Asis Subudhi were also present.

Both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative efforts in protecting the temple’s architectural grandeur and cultural heritage for future generations.