The Gundicha Temple, birthplace of Lord Jagannath, has been closed to devotees for the past six years. Renovation work is underway, including the construction of a new information center and modernization of the kitchen facilities.
Odisha: The sacred Sri Gundicha Temple in Puri, considered the birthplace of Lord Jagannath, has been closed to devotees for approximately six years. This has led to discontent among sevaks (servants) and local devotees. The temple administration states that the closure is due to ongoing renovations and development work aimed at improving devotee facilities and enhancing the temple's overall appearance.
District Collector Reviews Progress
Puri's District Collector, Siddharth Shankar Swain, who also serves as the temple's Deputy Chief Administrator, personally inspected the ongoing development work. He reviewed the progress of renovations inside and outside the temple and instructed officials to ensure timely completion.
Modernization of Information Center and Kitchen Planned
A new information center is being constructed near the Singhdwara (lion gate) of the temple. This center will provide devotees with information about Lord Jagannath, books, and religious materials at affordable prices. Simultaneously, the traditional kitchen within the temple complex is undergoing significant upgrades.
New Kitchen to be Ready During Lord's Stay
According to the administration, several challenges arose during Lord Jagannath's stay at the Gundicha Temple regarding food preparation. Therefore, a new and larger kitchen is being built to better manage the "Aadha Abhada" (a large feast) and serve a greater number of devotees.
Improved Water Supply and Beautification
Work is also underway to improve amenities for devotees, including water supply, sanitation, decoration, and beautification of the temple complex. The temple administration asserts that enhancing these facilities is crucial before reopening the temple, which was closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
