NEWS

Shree Mandira Parikrama Project (SMPP) of Odisha government has already run into a controversy

WHAT IS THE ISSUE?

• State government have permission of the National Monuments Authority (NMA) nor does it have approval from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to plan
• Execution of the project could potentially pose a threat to the centuries-old temple

ANCIENT MONUMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND REMAINS ACT

• Passed in 1958
• Act of the Parliament
• Provides for the preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance
• Provides for the regulation of archaeological excavations and for the protection of sculptures, carvings and other like objects
• The Archaeological Survey of India functions under the provisions of this act
• Area in the vicinity of the monument, within 100 metres is prohibited area
• Area within 200 meters of the monument is regulated category
• Any repair or modifications of buildings in this area requires prior permission

JAGANNATH TEMPLE

• Important Vaishnavite temple
• Dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Sri Krishna in Puri in Odisha.
• Present temple was rebuilt from the 10th century onwards, on the site of an earlier temple, and begun by Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, the first king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
• The Puri temple is famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three principal deities are pulled on huge and elaborately decorated temple cars.