Puri: The Garuda Stambha at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri is to be secured by a steel frame along with silver coating to avoid the touch of devotees. The project is to be executed at an estimate cost of Rs 130 lakh, informed Administrator (Development) Ajay Jena of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
The Garuda Stambha or Garuda Pillar of the temple is associated with the religious sentiments of the devotees. It has been believed since ancient times that if you touch it, the body will be healed and sins will be forgiven. So the devotees who come first touch Garuda Stambha and then go for darshan of Lord Jagannath.
According to the SJTA report, the Garuda Stambha is deteriorating day by day due to the touch of devotees. It is getting thinner due to the touching. This has threatened the sustainability of the pillar. As the pillar is made of sandalwood, it is necessary to avoid the direct touch of devotees.
In order to protect the Garuda Stambha, The SJTA has planned to install stainless steel frame around the pillar and cover it with silver plating. S.N. Singh, Director of Bhiringhee Commercial Private Limited in Durgapur of West Bengal has expressed interest in doing the work.
Preliminary discussions on this proposal are ongoing. Opinions on this have been sought from various stakeholders. If consent is reached, the proposal will be implemented, said Jena.
