Rejuvenated Ekamra Kshetra To Be Spiritual And Cultural Epicenter

Bhubaneswar: The much important Ekamra Kshetra Heritage Project being undertaken by the government of Odisha is going to be the nerve center of cultural and heritage renaissance in the state. Once completed, the abode of Lord Lingaraj and the peripheral areas will become one of the finest religious destinations in India. The project intends to restore the former glory of the 11th century temple by enhancing the pilgrim facilities and building robust infrastructure.

The beautiful video released by the government depicts the minute details of the transformed Ekamra Khsetra. It has temple facilities, renovated entrance, queue at offerings shop and a shoe stand. The Temple entrance will have micro climate with temperature control and guided passage for the pilgrims.

The planned cultural plaza will reconnect Lingaraj Temple to Bindusagar – the centuries old sacred lake. The government plans to create a spiritual, ecological and divine ambience in and around the Lingaraj temple by removing the hurdles between the temple and the lake. When completed, the temple will have a capacity to handle more than two lakh people during Maha Shivratri, Ashokastami, Ratha Yatra and Sitala Sasthi .

The video shows the Lingaraj interpretation center that will celebrate and preserve the temple heritage. For facilitating rituals and common activities by the pilgrims, the ritual plaza will have all the modern facilities. Ekamra Orientation Center will have the dual role of servings as a city center and cyclone shelter.

The Bindusagar’s old cultural heritage will be revived by transforming the peripheral areas and developing ecological landscape. It project has the motto as Reinstating the past in the present context from today to tomorrow, from yesterday to tomorrow, and the video depicts each and every aspect of it.

In order to facilitate quicker completion of the Ekamra Kshetra project, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved the best Rehabilitation & Resettlement Policy. The plan also intends to enhance the living heritage, continuous traditions and a complete timeline of Kalinga architectural developments through strategic interventions. The project area of about more than 65 Acres will be pedestrianized and facilities for pilgrims and tourist will be created. To implement the projects identified in Phase 1, certain land need to be acquired and encroachments are to be removed.

Bhubaneswar, capital city of Odisha, is also known as “Temple City of India”. The city has a large number of temples in the Old Town area. This area known as Ekamra Kshetra has temples, heritage ponds and water tanks; which are testimonial to ancient built heritage of Bhubaneswar. Lingaraj Temple built in 11th century is at heart of the Ekamra Kshetra. Bhubaneswar also is one of the few planned modern cities in post independent India. This juxtaposition of ancient heritage city with modern metropolis is the most unique feature that Bhubaneswar has to offer.