Odisha CM Inaugurates Ekamra Project at Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the Ekamra Project at the Lingaraj Temple. The project, estimated at Rs 280 crore, aims to revive the ancient heritage precinct surrounding the temple, known as Ekamra Kshetra.

The foundation stone was laid during a three-day Bhumi Pujan ceremony, organized by the Lingaraj Temple Trust Board, to celebrate the cultural heritage of the region.

The Bhumi Pujan ceremony included various cultural programs and a yagna, creating a festive atmosphere. As part of the event, the Lingaraj Temple, along with nearby temples such as Ananta Basudeva Temple, Mukteswar Temple, and Bindu Sagar, were beautifully illuminated.

The ceremony served as a platform to recognize and felicitate the shopkeepers and individuals who generously contributed their land to the project’s beautification and transformation.

The Ekamra Prakalp, also known as Ekamra Kshetra Amenities and Monuments Revival Action Plan, was initiated by the State Government in 2019. Covering an extensive area of 80 acres, the project’s primary objective is to restore the grandeur of the ancient heritage precinct surrounding the Lingaraj Temple. It encompasses various monuments, sacred tanks, and water bodies. The initial phase of implementation will focus on the restoration of the architectural and archaeological treasures of Ekamra Kshetra.