Puri: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited the Jagannath temple in Puri Monday morning and offered his prayers to the deities for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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CM Patnaik’s visit holds significance as it comes in the wake of a draft notification issued recently by the National Monuments Authority (NMA) on ‘Heritage Bylaws’ meant for the Jagannath temple here.
During his visit, the CM said, “Nobody can stop the work of Lord Jagannath,”
“This is the first time I am visiting the temple in the time of pandemic. I prayed for prosperity and peace of people of Odisha. I thank people who sacrificed for the temple and their sacrifices will not go in vain,” Patnaik told media persons outside Singhadwar (Lions Gate) of the temple.
Several development and beautification projects of the temple are underway. A number of such projects have been completed under the aggressive initiatives of the Chief Minister. Clearing his government’s stand on the controversial NMA bylaws, Patnaik said, “I have spoken to the NMA. The Centre should remove the new bylaws and nobody can stop the good work for the Lord.”
Patnaik landed at Talabania helipad in Puri in a special chopper and proceeded for darshan of the three deities amid tight security. The 5T Secretary VK Pandian and other senior officials including Puri Collector Samarth Verma accompanied the Chief Minister.
PNN