The Centre has recently rescinded draft heritage bylaws proposed by the National Monuments Authority (NMA) for Shree Jagannath Temple located in Puri, Odisha. This decision has come in the backdrop of demands by the Odisha Government for the retraction of similar bylaws for temples situated in the Ekamra Kshetra area of Bhubaneswar.
The Origin of Draft Heritage Bylaws
In 2010, the government created the National Monuments Authority under the stipulation of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010. The primary function of this body was to formulate heritage bylaws for structures listed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
This Act mandates that monument-specific heritage bylaws are prepared to manage construction activity in the vicinity of ASI-protected monuments. After drafting, these heritage bylaws require parliamentary approval before implementation.
Odisha’s Stance on the Heritage Bylaws
The Odisha State government was apprehensive that these bylaws could potentially obstruct extensive infrastructural developments envisioned around the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. Similar bylaws were also introduced for two temples in Bhubaneswar – the Ananta Basudev Temple from the 13th century and the Brahmeswar Temple, both located in the Ekamra Kshetra area.
In 2020, the state government planned to beautify an area stretching over 1,126 acres around these structures to turn it into a major tourist destination.
Jagannath Temple: Historical Significance and Features
Historians believe that King Anatavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty constructed the Jagannath Temple in the 12th century. As per Hindu mythology, this site is known as ‘Yamanika Tirtha,’ a place where Lord Jagannath nullifies the power of ‘Yama,’ the god of death.
The temple, often referred to as the “White Pagoda,” is one of the Char Dham pilgrimages. It has four entrances: the eastern ‘Singhdwara’, southern ‘Ashwadwara’, western ‘Vyaghra Dwara’, and northern ‘Hastidwara’. In front of the main entrance stands the Aruna Stambha or sun pillar, moved from the Sun Temple in Konark. The temple is renowned globally for the Rath Yatra and Bahuda Yatra festivals.
Other Noteworthy Monuments in Odisha
Odisha houses several other significant cultural sites like the Konark Sun Temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Tara Tarini Temple, Lingaraj Temple, and the Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves.
The Aim and Provisions of The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010
The primary objective of this Act is to preserve, conserve, protect, and maintain all national importance’s ancient monuments, archaeological sites, and their surroundings up to a set distance.
Under this Act, construction or reconstruction is prohibited in areas closest to protected monuments, but repair or renovation is permissible. In the area surrounding this prohibition zone, repair, renovation, construction, and reconstruction are allowed. Any construction-related proposals within these regulated zones must be submitted to the Competent Authorities (CA) and then to the National Monuments Authority (NMA) for evaluation. The NMA operates under the umbrella of the Ministry of Culture.
