Puri, April 3: The Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Central Division Saturday began probe into the issue of construction of a second Jagannath Temple in the Holy Town.
The District Collector and the Puri Konark Development Authority (PKDA) are assisting in the investigations, sources said.
Notably, ISKCON has proposed to construct a Jagannath Temple over 18 acres of land at Sipasirubuli, on the south-western side of Puri at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crores.
Apart from a replica of Jagannath temple ISKCON had also proposed to build a Grand Radha Krishna Temple, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Museum, Lord Jagannath Lila Museum, Library, amphitheater and auditorium, amusement park for children, Govinda’s restaurant, international guest house, ayurvedic clinic and yoga center, inmate ashram and prasadam hall, convention hall, Bhakta nivas (residence for devotees), Vedic school, Dharmashala (low cost residence for pilgrims) and a Vaishnav market area.
The issue came into limelight after senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra alleged that ISKCON is planning to construct a second Jagannath temple, in Puri.
He had claimed that the ISKCON had already submitted a DPR to the State Government and the PKDA (Puri-Konark Development Authority) for the setting of a Jagannath Temple more than the height of Shree Mandir.
Besides he claimed such a gore issue would certainly destroy the Odia culture and harm the religious beliefs of the State’s people.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had directed the RDC to probe the issue and submit a report within two months.
