By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, July 12, 2017 : Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday visited Sri Jagannath Temple at Puri without notice surprising everyone.

What stunned everyone is that in the last 17 year, Patnaik paid visit to the Temple on select days like New Year, his birthday, Car Festival and other special occasions. Even many time his scheduled programme to Puri had to be cancelled for different reasons. But his visit to Puri straight from Naveen Nibas [residence of Naveen Patnaik here had an element of surprise.

During the visit, Patnaik reviewed the repair works at the Teple and directed Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Works Department to complete repair and conservation of Jagmohan (prayer hall adjoining the sanctum sanctorum or Garbha Griha) of the temple within four months.

“I came on a surprise visit to Sri Mandir today to pray to the Lord for the people of our state and to thank the Lord for the peaceful completion of the Rath Yatra. I also reviewed the repairs that are going on in the temple,” Patnaik told reporters after visiting the Sri Mandir.

The Chief Minister during his visit to the temple appreciated the servitors for the smooth and disciplined conduct of the Rath Yatra this year.

Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA)’s Chief Administrator Pradip Jena said that during the four months beautification of Changada Ghara, Khata Seja and Garbha Griha of the temple will be completed.

Patnaik spent about half-an-hour for worshipping Lord Jagannath and another 15 minutes on review of the Temple repair works.