Ganjam: The 1500-year-old Bali Loknath shrine with marvellous medieval architecture at Mali Jagannathpur village under this block in Ganjam district is in ruins due to lack of proper maintenance.
Situated just 150 metres away from the banks of river Rushikulya and surrounded by pine forests, the shrine was once a big draw for thousands of devotees and tourists. The temple’s architecture is comparable to that of many oldest temples in the state.
However, the temple may go into history if the government doesn’t show any interest in reviving it. Senior citizens in the village fear the river will soon submerge the temple if the authorities do not come up with an action plan.
Temple priest Dibakar Tripathy reminiscences the times when a huge number of devotees used to queue up before the temple on the first Monday of Karthik Purnima, Shiva Ratri and other auspicious days. With time, the number of devotees and visitors coming to the temple has been declining due to many problems, he added.
Among the various problems that plague the temple are lack of accommodation for tourists coming from distant places and the absence of drinking water facility. The temple’s weak walls that are on the verge of collapse have become a matter of concern.
The temple walls have developed cracks and rainy seasons are further weakening them. Interestingly, 65 families of the gardener community in the village have taken up the responsibility of the temple work. They clean up the pine forest regularly and take care of the temple.
They also had earlier brought the deteriorating condition of the temple to the notice of district collector Premchand Chaudhary who had assured them of taking up the issue with the tourism department.
The temple stands on eight acres of land and the locals have turned the shrine’s surroundings into a flower garden and planned to open a children’s playground on the premises. They want tourist spot tag for the temple to increase the footfall. PNN
