Bhubaneswar, Odisha : Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, visiting Odisha to inaugurate the National Conference of Chairpersons of Committees for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Tribes of Parliament and State Assemblies, paid a visit to the Puri Jagannath Temple this afternoon. He offered prayers to Lord Jagannath seeking peace, prosperity, and happiness for the citizens of India.

On arrival in Puri, Shri Birla first visited the Special Circuit House before proceeding to Singhadwar, where he was warmly welcomed by Shri Jagannath Temple Chief Administrator Dr. Arvind Padhi, District Magistrate Shri Divya Jyoti Parida, and SP Shri Pratik Singh. Shri Birla began his visit by offering prayers at the Aruna stambha outside Singhadwar, and then proceeded to offer prayers to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.

The Lok Sabha Speaker was deeply impressed by the historical architecture of the 12th-century Kirtiraj Temple. He remarked on the temple’s significance in preserving India’s spiritual and cultural heritage, inspiring devotion, civic pride, and national unity.

Shri Birla was accompanied by Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Shri Ravi Narayan Naik, and Lok Sabha MP Shri Sambit Patra. Officials emphasized the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the temple while promoting heritage tourism and providing pilgrims with a safe and spiritual experience.

Shri Birla said that Puri Jagannath Temple is a symbol of India’s rich cultural and spiritual legacy and highlighted the role of Parliament and state institutions in promoting heritage preservation, spiritual awareness, and national welfare.

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