Ancient City Hinted Beneath Puri: Tunnel to Sea Suspected, Artefacts Unearthed

Puri, Odisha: A recent Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey has hinted at the existence of an ancient buried city beneath Puri, raising the possibility of a tunnel connecting the Shree Jagannath Temple to the sea.

The survey, conducted by IIT Gandhinagar at a cost of Rs 40 lakh, revealed structural remains across 21.6 sq. metres and identified 43 heritage sites, including Emar Math, Nrusingha Temple, and Budhi Maa Temple.

Excavations linked to the Srimandir Parikrama Project uncovered lion sculptures and a 30‑foot wall belonging to the Ganga dynasty.

Artefacts such as pottery, metal objects, and daily‑use items were also found, alongside a chamber measuring 7.6m x 3m, believed to have been used for worshipping golden idols.

Experts have urged controlled excavation and preservation to protect the hidden heritage, especially after earlier damage caused by heavy machinery.

Confusion persists over the survey report’s availability, with temple authorities claiming they haven’t received it, while IIT Gandhinagar insists it was submitted.

Advocate Dillip Baral, who obtained the report via RTI, has demanded immediate scientific excavation and preservation of the findings.