Odisha Visit / Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai Offers Prayers at Jagannath Temple in Puri

Puri, Sep 20: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai visited the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri on Sunday and offered prayers to the Holy Trinity during his two-day visit to Odisha.

Sai arrived in Bhubaneswar earlier in the day and met Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at his official residence. Afrewards, Sai visited the famous Lingaraj Temple in the Capital city.

He later travelled to Puri and reached the pilgrim city in the afternoon.

Sai was accompanied by his wife and family members, a Raipur MLA and other Chhattisgarh BJP leaders. Officials of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and the district administration welcomed the visiting chief minister near the temple.

After paying obeisance at the Arun Stambha, Sai entered the temple amid tight security and had darshan of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra at the Ratna Singhasana. He also offered prayers at the shrines of Maa Bimala, Maa Mahalaxmi and other deities on the temple premises before visiting Ananda Bazaar.

Sai Highlights Odisha-Chhattisgarh Cultural Ties
Speaking after the darshan, Sai highlighted the longstanding cultural and social ties between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

He said the relationship between the two states was ancient and pointed to the presence of Jagannath temples in Chhattisgarh. He also referred to the traditional association of a village in Chhattisgarh with rice supplied for Lord Jagannath.

Also Read: Chhattisgarh CM Begins Two-Day Visit to Odisha, Mahanadi Talks Likely on Agenda

Sai also spoke about the long-pending Mahanadi water-sharing issue between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

He said the issue could be resolved soon through mutual discussions and cooperation between the two states. Sai said both chief ministers and officials had already held discussions in New Delhi and that both states had agreed to abide by a decision of the Central Water Commission (CWC).

A meeting involving Sai, Majhi, Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, senior officials of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the CWC and both state governments was held in July as part of efforts towards an amicable settlement of the dispute.

The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal is also continuing proceedings while the two states pursue technical and political-level discussions. Its next hearing has been scheduled for September 28, with further CWC-level discussions also planned.