Bhubaneswar, Jan 25:On January 27, schools and colleges across Odisha will be closed in honor of the inauguration of the SAMALEI project in Sambalpur.

The government's decision, as per a release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), aims to encourage public participation in the event. Additionally, government offices will remain closed on this day, being the fourth Saturday of the month.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to inaugurate the Samaleswari Temple Area Management and Local Economy Initiatives (SAMALEI) project on January 27. Inaugural rituals began on Monday, leading up to a Kalash Yatra by women in the city on January 26. The water collected during the Yatra will be used for the ceremonial bathing of the Goddess, as per sources.

The state government has invested over Rs 200 crore in this comprehensive project, covering approximately 40 acres. The redevelopment encompasses the beautification and peripheral development of the temple, establishment of a heritage corridor, provision of state-of-the-art amenities, and the development of the Mahanadi riverfront.

Previously, January 17 had been declared a public holiday to mark the inauguration of the Srimandir Parikrama Prakalpa around the Jagannath Temple in Puri.

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