Puri: Amid the ongoing controversy over the collection and usage of rice and money by Lord Jagannath’s Arpana Ratha, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) today issued a clarification saying that it has received both the rice and money from the Arpana Ratha.
Informing about the money, the SJTA said that it has received Rs 3,06,62,813 from the Arpana Ratha between January 22 and February 7.
It is to be noted here that the Arpana Ratha moved across the State in view of the inauguration of the much awaited Srimandir Parikrama Prakalpa.
People from across Odisha made their donations to Lord Jagannath and his siblings through the Arpana Ratha. They offered rice and money as per their capacity.
Around 50-70 kanika and khichdi were prepared from the rice and distributed to the devotees for seven days.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the Srimandir Heritage Corridor project on January 17 in the presence of host of guest including Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb and others.
Following the inauguration, Naveen Patnaik, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, 5T and Nua-O chairman VK Pandian walked on the corridor along with others.
The State government reportedly spent around Rs 800 crore for the project, which has been carried out within 75-metre area from the Meghnad pachari (boundary wall) of the 12th century shrine. It has several facilities like parking areas, pilgrimage centre, restroom facilities, cloakrooms, toilets and amenities for devotees.
Ms Kalinga