Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the people of Odisha to light Diya (earthen lamps) and blow conch shells to celebrate the inauguration of Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor project at Puri town on January 17.
“The Srimandir Parikrama Prakalpa will be inaugurated on January 17. It is a moment of pride for all Odias and devotees of Lord Jagannath. I request the people of Odisha to dedicate this particular day to the service of the Lord. We all should light Diya, blow conch shells and beat cymbals in our house to celebrate the occasion,” the Chief Minister said in a video message today.
The Chief Minister also urged people to offer prayers, sing devotional songs and perform Kirtan to celebrate the inauguration of Srimandir Parikrama project.
“The state government has implemented the Parikrama Prakalpa to facilitate hassle-free movement of devotees around the 12th century shrine. Besides, the project has many other facilities for the devotees,” said the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister thanked the servitors and locals of Puri town who have sacrificed their ancestral land for the mega project. “I am also grateful to the artisans and labourers who have toiled hard to carry out the construction work of the project,” he said.
Notably, the Chief Minister has declared January 17 as a government holiday in Odisha to facilitate people’s participation in the mega event.
All government offices and educational institutions, including schools and colleges, will remain closed on January 17.
