Odisha govt to rehabilitate 19 mutts demolished for Srimandir Parikrama Project
By Swagatika Mohapatra
Bhubaneswar, May 24: In significant development, the Odisha government on Friday announced its plans to rehabilitate 19 mutts that were demolished during the previous government’s Srimandir Parikrama project in Puri.
Law minister Prithviraj Harichandan informed that the process to restore these mutts has already begun. As part of the plan, all 19 mutts will be relocated to a single designated area to make it easier for devotees to visit these sacred institutions. The government has already identified suitable land for the rehabilitation project.
“The process for rehabilitating the 19 mutts, which were removed as part of the Srimandir Parikrama project in Puri, is underway. It has been decided to reconstruct them at one location, ensuring convenience for devotees wishing to visit these revered places. The site has been identified and will soon be cleared of encroachments,” Minister Harichandan said.
He added that this arrangement would also facilitate the mutts in continuing their traditional services to the Shree Jagannath Temple. “The matter has been reviewed twice in the presence of the Chief Administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), the District Collector, and the Endowment Commissioner. The process will commence shortly,” he informed.
It may be recalled that the demolition of several ancient mutts, including the famous Emar Mutt, during the Parikrama project had drawn concern and criticism from cultural historians, heritage lovers, and devotees of Lord Jagannath, who lamented the loss of these historic spiritual centres.
