Odisha CM Orders Enhanced Security for Puri Shankaracharya

Chairing a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan on the development of Govardhan Peeth on Friday, Majhi instructed the state police to review and bolster existing security measures for the Shankaracharya, who currently has ‘Z’ category protection. “Security will be further enhanced as per the Chief Minister’s directive,” a senior police official said after the meeting.

The meeting was attended by law minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Puri Lok Sabha member Dr Sambit Patra, chief secretary Manoj Ahuja, and senior officials. It focused on the preservation, restoration, and planned development of Govardhan Peeth and its associated religious and heritage structures.

Born on June 30, 1943, in Haripur Bakshi Tol village of Bihar’s Madhubani district, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati showed exceptional academic and spiritual promise from an early age. At 17, he left home in search of spiritual enlightenment, becoming a disciple of the noted saint Karpatri Ji Maharaj. He was later initiated as Dhruvachaitanya by Swami Sri Naradanand Saraswati of Naimisharanya and undertook rigorous study of Vedic scriptures at spiritual centres such as Kashi, Vrindavan, Badrikashram, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Puri.

His erudition, commitment to Sanatana Dharma, and devotion to his spiritual mentors earned him widespread reverence, culminating in his appointment as the 145th Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth by Swami Sri Niranjanadev Tirtha Maharaj.

In a related development, Law Minister Harichandan informed reporters that the state government has decided to rehabilitate 19 mutts (monasteries) that were demolished during the Srimandir Parikrama heritage corridor project undertaken by the previous government.

The Chief Minister also urged the Govardhan Peeth Trust Board to submit proposals for further development initiatives to the state government for consideration.