By Our Correspondent
PURI/BHUBANESWAR:The SJTA Chief Administrator Dr Arbinda Padhee has sought the guidance of the Permanent President of Mukti Mandap, Parampujya Shrimad Jagadguru Sankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati of Puri Gobardhan Pitha, on the proposal to reinstall the statue of Dasavata, which was removed from the Singhadavara Ghumut of the Shrimandir.
In 2012, during the restoration and conservation work of the Singhdwara arch and the adjacent ancient structures, the statue of Dasavata installed in the Singhdwara arch was removed and a new concrete beam was installed in its place. Earlier, the statue of Dasavata was made of stucco. The ninth incarnation of the statue of Dasavata was replaced by a statue of Lord Jagannath, which caused controversy at the time.
However, the management committee of the temple held on 17.1.2026 discussed the relocation of the idol of Dasavatar and decided to seek the guidance of Shrimad Jagad Guru in this regard. According to tradition, the permanent president of Mukti Mandap Pandit Sabha, Shrimad Jagad Guru, has requested the Chief Administrator of the temple, Dr. Arvind Padhi, for the guidance of the religious affairs of the temple.
