Puri, Nov 17: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has granted approval to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to commence repair work on the 12th-century Jagannath Temple's 'Natamandap' (dancing hall).

This decision follows a directive from the Orissa High Court, instructing the ASI to initiate repairs on the Natamandap from Thursday after cracks were discovered on some pillars of the ancient temple. While the process was initiated on Thursday, formal restoration work is scheduled to commence on Friday, as confirmed by SJTA Chief Administrator Ranjan Kumar Das in a press briefing after an extensive meeting with stakeholders, including ASI officials, servitors, members of the temple managing committee, and others.

The SJTA outlined that the ASI will employ iron scaffolding during the repair work on Natamandap, with temple officials collaborating with the ASI to ensure a seamless process. The ASI has been assigned a 120-day timeframe to complete the Natamandap repair and will be permitted to work for six hours a day once the Kartika rituals conclude.

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