Model Crematorium and Beautification Planned at Sakhigopal Temple
A high-level emergency meeting was held on Wednesday at the Irrigation Department’s Guest House to resolve the long-standing dispute regarding the cremation grounds for the servitors of Sakhigopal Temple. The meeting was chaired by Puri District Collector Samarth Verma and attended by MLA Umakanta Samantaray, Additional District Collector Pradeep Kumar Sahu, Assistant Commissioner Gagan Sahu, OBCC Executive Engineer Sundar Madhab Padhi, Tehsildar Jayanta Kumar Jayasingh, BDO Lochan Das, IIC Bijaya Ketan Behera, Temple Executive Officer Bishwabas Tripathy, officials from the Servitor Association, and members of the Steering Committee.
After thorough discussion, a unanimous decision was made to construct a new cremation ground for the servitors on plot number 51 under Khata number 100, located behind Bakul Batika Mahaveer Temple, covering an area of 2 decimils. The new cremation site will be developed as a model crematorium. The Additional District Collector assured full cooperation from the district administration for the project.
With the resolution of this long-pending issue, District Collector Verma also informed that beautification work around Sakhigopal Temple and Bakulban would begin very soon. The meeting also discussed matters related to the servitors’ fundamental rights, streamlined rituals, and improving the quality of temple offerings.
Following the renovation of the sacred Vije Pokhari and Radha Kunda near Sakhigopal Temple, the servitors demanded that these ponds be reopened exclusively for their ritual bathing, as was traditionally done. Assistant Commissioner Gagan Sahu advised that this demand be formally submitted in writing to the Commissioner.
