Puri: The silver casing work of Singha Dwara (Lion Gate) — the main entrance of Puri Jagannath temple — began Thursday in the backdrop of the Holy Trinity’s absence at Srimandir.
As Lord Jagannath and His siblings are away in Gundicha temple for their annual nine-day long sojourn, the silver cladding work of the Lion Gate has commenced.
Besides, the inspection work for the sanctum sanctorum, Natamandap and Jagamohan of the temple is scheduled to begin Thursday by the ASI team in the pretext of restoration and rodent menace at those places.
The erstwhile brass-clad Lion Gate was removed Wednesday and in its place, a temporary door with all previous designs featured on the earlier gate has been fixed.
A servitor said, “We the servitors are happy for the Singha Dwara (Lion Gate) to be cladded with silver. Once the silver gate is ready, the temporary Singha Dwara will be removed. For the time being, the gate has been closed to the public.”
“The process of fixing the gate is different from others. The gate made of four-inch-width Burma teak wood will be tightened onto the steel frame. Thereafter, the door will be cladded with silver plates with designs and symbols like of conch and lotus. It will also have balls and bearings to give its longevity,” said Hasmuk Lal, an artisan from Mumbai.
The silver needed for the casing has been donated by a devotee based in Mumbai.
The new Lion Gate will showcase the popular designs of Odisha art.
Earlier, Satapahacha Dwara, Jay Bijay Dwara, Kalahata Dwara, Beherana Dwara and Bhogamandap Dwara were cladded with silver.
PNN