Nilagiri: A lighthouse built atop the historic Nilagiri palace in the last 19th century has been lying in a state of dilapidation due to lack of restoration, a report said.
Culture lovers and locals have decried the utter neglect of monuments, and demanded their protection and preservation.
According to reports, the lighthouse was built by then king Shyamsundar Mardaraj in 1893 atop the Singhdwar of the palace at the foothills of Swarnachud hill here. However, after merger of Nilagiri princely state with Independent India, the care of the palace and its ancillary structures could not be given proper attention, even though the endowment department had been tasked with the protection of the Singhadwar of the palace and 26 assets of various deities in 1969, locals alleged.
During the time, maritime activities along the Balasore coast were booming. The lighthouse was instrumental in guiding crew members and merchants in ships and boats on the Bay of Bengal. They could see from afar the lighthouse, although it was located 50 km away from shore. The palace is located about 5,000 ft above the sea level.
A huge clock installed in the place also lies uncared for. The clock atop the Singhadwar was meant to instill a sense of punctuality among the royal staff. At that time, maritime activities were flourishing.
Locals take pride recalling the glorious days of the royal regime when Nilagiri was well known for its art, architecture and culture in the country and abroad. Nilagiri was one of the 26 princely states in Orissa.
It is said a king of this princely state had created history by taking part in the freedom movement of India. The centuries-old monarchy came to an end with the merger of the princely state after Independence.
Rajendra Chandra Mardaraj, the son of Nilagiri’s last king Kishore Chandra Mardaraj, had handed over the upkeep of Dadhibaman temple at Garadi, Baladev temple at Maukundapur and assets of 26 other temples to the endowment department. The lighthouse and the clock were also handed over to it.
Despite repeated demands by locals for restoration of the ancient clock and the lighthouse, the endowment department has cared a little for their protection, it was alleged.
Recently, Jagdish Mardaraj, the grandson of the last king of Nilagiri, met tourism and culture minister Ashok Panda and the secretary of the department at Bhubaneswar seeking restoration of these monuments. The minister is learnt to have assured Mardaraj of providing necessary funds for the restoration work of the lighthouse and the clock. PNN
