Don’t destroy Puri’s religious core, says Shankaracharya 

By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR/PURI: Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalalanda Saraswati on Wednesday turned the warmth on the Odisha Government saying that the holy metropolis will lose its religious core if the administration continued with its actions. Puri shouldn’t be made a picnic spot or exhibition centre for enjoyment of all within the identify of growth, he added.

Raising objection to the much-hyped Srimandir Parikrama Project, the seer cautioned the federal government towards contemplating itself to be omnipotent due to the massive public mandate it loved. It may change anytime, he mentioned.

The Shankaracharya expressed deep anguish over destruction of heritage within the identify of the mission and mentioned the pilgrim city is quickly shifting in direction of destruction. “We favour development but do not want the heritage site to lose its identity. Mutts are being demolished in the name of widening of roads which is not acceptable,” he added and mentioned Puri is the spiritual capital and try shouldn’t be made to show the ‘Tapobhumi’ right into a ‘Bhogabhumi.’

“Puri should not be made a centre of Sura Sundari,” he mentioned and added that the Prime Minister and Chief Minister ought to take note of the truth that the holy city is being distorted within the identify of growth.
The Shankaracharya’s stand prompted Opposition BJP and Congress to focus on the ruling BJD and demand a cease to the mission work. BJP spoksperson Jatin Mohanty mentioned now that the seer has clearly opposed the mission, the Government should drop the mission. The BJP is opposing the mission as it’s executed with out survey and identification of present heritage constructions round Jagannath Temple, he added.

Congress joined the refrain as its chief Arya Kumar Gyanendra mentioned the mission is carried out in violation of the legal guidelines. Since the Shankaracharya’s views are extremely revered by all Odias, his occasion will settle for no matter resolution is taken by the seer.

A cornered BJD hit out on the Opposition events for politicising the problem and mentioned the mission was ready and really useful by Srimandir managing committee. The mission was conceived in 2016 and introduced by the Chief Minister in December 2019 to remodel the pilgrim city into a global heritage hub. A unanimous decision was handed within the State Assembly to implement the mission in 2020.

The BJD reiterated that basis stone of the mission was laid solely after National Monuments Authority accredited the proposal. “Leaders of all political parties and various other dignitaries were invited too. After this, work started. The ASI gave suggestions which were duly incorporated and modifications were done accordingly,” he added.