The State Cabinet passed an Ordinance vesting management of Lingaraj temple, Bhubaneswar, in a 15 Member committee.
Recently Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced to bring a particular Act for the Lingaraj Temple. This special Act, along with Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955, gives the temple better management and governance. The legislation provides all the properties situated within the Lingaraj temple premises and other temples, holy places and mutts in the Ekamra Kshetra committee. To look after the daily affairs of the management of the temple, an administrator will be appointed.
This new law will ably help to ensure better facilities for the pilgrims, devotees and visitors. The committee will also help to safeguard the properties of the temple. Elaborate provisions have been made in the Ordinance incorporating all appropriate features, such as the managing committee’s constitution, the administrator’s appointment, duties and powers, and temple funds management. The legislation also has provisions to streamline the budgeting, accounting and auditing of the temple funds.
Presently, the management of Lingaraj Temple is governed under the Odisha Hindu Religious Endowment Act, 1952. With the enactment of the new law, the temple administration will be further empowered and strengthened to execute the elaborate rituals and Seva puja more effectively. Numerous development works of the temple and its perimeter incorporating protection, preservation and beautification perspectives will also be facilitated.
The sevayats honoured the promulgation of the Ordinance and also thanked Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for keeping his word. They lit 10,000 diyas in front of the temple to celebrate the government’s decision.
Article Written by Dikhya Mohanty
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