THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, AUGUST 12, 2026
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday
announced a major push to transform the Puri beach into a magnificent spiritual
destination while directing the administration to strengthen the security and
protection of the historic Gobardhan Peeth and accord greater grandeur to the
daily ‘Sandhya Mahodadhi Arati’ at Swargadwar.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at Lokaseva Bhavan on
the comprehensive development, security and promotion of Sri Jagannath culture
at Puri Gobardhan Peeth and improvement of the Swargadwar beach, Majhi said the
government would take all necessary measures to preserve the spiritual heritage
and cultural sanctity associated with Puri.
The Chief Minister held detailed discussions with
representatives of Gobardhan Peeth on enhancing the spiritual dignity of Puri
and safeguarding the Peeth’s properties. He laid particular emphasis on the
evening ‘Sandhya Mahodadhi Arati’ held on the beach in front of Swargadwar and directed
the administration to beautify the Arati site and organise the daily ritual on
a much grander scale.
Majhi further instructed officials to develop the entire Puri
beach as a magnificent spiritual beach, blending the coastal landscape with the
city’s deep-rooted religious and cultural traditions.
Stressing the need for a permanent resolution to the land-related
problems of Gobardhan Peeth, the chief minister called for a thorough
re-examination of old land settlement records. He also directed the
administration to further strengthen security arrangements for Jagadguru
Shankaracharya and the premises of the Peeth.
Special measures will be undertaken for the security and
conservation of the sacred samadhi sites of all previous Acharyas of Gobardhan
Peeth, the meeting decided.
The discussions also covered the peripheral development of
the Math and provision of necessary facilities for the effective management of
the ‘Sri Gobardhan Goshala’ located within the Peeth premises.
The state government is committed to protecting and
preserving the rich heritage of Gobardhan Peeth, Majhi affirmed.
The meeting was attended by Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari,
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, saints and representatives of Gobardhan
Peeth and senior state government officials.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Development Commissioner D.K. Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma, Chief Administrator of Srimandir Dr Arabinda K Padhee, Law Secretary Dr Pabitra Mohan Samal, Puri Collector Dibyajyoti Parida and Puri SP Prateek Singh were among the officials present.
Representing Gobardhan Peeth were Administrative Chief Prafulya Chaitanya Maharaj, Aditya Bahini head and Peeth representative Matru Prasad Mishra and other senior functionaries.
