A boulder dislodged from the Baraha Temple within the Srimandir premises in Puri on Saturday, causing damage to an adjacent temple. According to reports, the incident occurred during the early hours of Saturday, resulting in the roof of the Ekadashi Temple being affected.
Following the occurrence, authorities at the Srimandir promptly gathered the fallen boulder and notified the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Baraha Temple is positioned in front of the Bimala Temple, situated to the south of the main temple complex.
Significantly, recent repair works by the ASI had just been completed at the Dakhina Ghara within the Srimandir. While the exact cause of the incident remains under investigation, speculation suggests that the loose boulder may have dislodged during attempts by monkeys to traverse between structures.
The ASI has acknowledged the incident and is reportedly treating it with seriousness. However, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has refrained from commenting on the matter.
It’s noteworthy that a one-tonne stone fell from the dome of the western gate of the 12th-century Jagannath Temple in Puri back in 2011, narrowly missing nearly 2,000 devotees present in the temple at the time. Likewise, in 2015, a 40 kg stone slab detached from the ‘Jalakrida Mandap’ (water recreation hall) of the Jagannath Temple.
