Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Puri, Jan 12:

Skilled artisans from Cuttack and Puri completed restoration work of the fragile kalas chakra of the Jagamohana of the Sri Jagannath temple (Sri Mandir) today.

According to reports, the restoration work was undertaken under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

This chakra made of astadhatu (an alloy of eight metals often used for casting metallic idols in Jain and Hindu temples in India) had weakened due to the loosening of the bolts attached to it, reports added.

Especially, stress was laid on strengthening the staff fixed to the main part of the kalas which has weakened.

It will be worthwhile to mention here that the kalas atop the Jagamohana was replaced in 2014 during the Nabakalebara. But the chakra was not replaced; only some nuts and bolts were replaced.

However, weakening of the chakra within two years of its repair has raised serious concern over the quality of work undertaken then.