Bhubaneswar (SunstarTV Bureau): The National Monuments Authority (NMA) has issued draft bye-laws for the Sahasralinga Tank which also known as Devi Padahara tank in Bhubaneswar, informed sources.
Earlier, the bye-laws was also issued for the Ananta Basudev and Brahmeswar temples.
It is situated about 49 metres from 11th century Lingaraj temple here.
The bye-law prohibits construction of any kind within 100 metres of the tank and confines it to within 200 metres of the heritage water body.
The NMA has sought suggestions and objections to the bye-laws by July 15. If approved, it will create hurdles for the state’s ambitious Ekamra Kshetra Development plan to redevelop around 80 acres area in and around the Lingaraj Temple. The tank dates back to the 11th-12th century and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
It has seventy-seven miniature temples, all of which are in a good state of preservation. The temple was initially surrounded by several lingas of which only five are worshipped. The tank has a flight of steps all around it and were built for the ritualistic purpose of Lord Lingaraj.
(With TOI inputs)
