Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb has appealed to all devotees of Lord Jagannath to cooperate with the Odisha government's initiative to develop the 12th century shrine and also Puri town.
Deb, considered as the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, issued a statement on Saturday, a day after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik sanctioned an additional package of Rs 500 crore for the development of Puri.
"We welcome the state government's initiative," Gajapati said adding that all should sincerely cooperate with the development plan for the temple and the holy town.
Gajapati's statement is significant in view of the opposition to the state government's initiative by a section of local people.
Gajapati, however, said: "All developmental activities should be undertaken in accordance with the spirit of Puri's great spiritual, religious and cultural heritage along with traditions."
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