dipchand bihari, post news network, Bhubaneswar, June 18: Monsoon is here. Local residents and priests are afraid that this year too, the 9th century Vaital Deul temple in the Old Town area and the 12th century Megheswar temple and a couple of other temples such as the Brahmeswar temple on the way to Tankapani Road, will be inundated by the rain waters.
Neither the civic authorities nor the Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar, have taken any initiative to prevent water logging at these ancient temples of the capital city, they allege.
Past records say that there had been huge water logging on the premises of the above mentioned city temples during the monsoons. Water logging at these temples has become very common; even the Parsurameswar temple in the Old Town area is also being affected by rain waters to some extent. However, taking measures to prevent water logging in these temples have so far remained a mere promise, made by the officials.
“I have been watching it since 2001. Water-logging problem here is a big issue. No actions have been taken yet to preserve our ancient monuments. It is a shame for us that we are not conscious to safeguard these temples. I am afraid, if this continues, there will be no ancient monuments left intact in our locality. We have made many complaints in this connection, but nothing has happened,” said Manohar Satapathy, a resident of the Old Town area, who frequently visits the Vaital Deul temple.
Another resident of the area, Ramani Mohapatra alleged that the conservators use water-pumps to get the water out of the temple premises after the water logging here and the vibration of the pumps affects the structures.
The 12th century Megheswar temple, located on the Tankapani Road has always been plagued by the water-logging problem. Local residents and priests say that it stays partially submerged through prolonged periods during the rainy season.
“I have seen the temple premises getting waterlogged following couple of hours’ heavy rains. The devotees find it difficult even to enter the temple then. They return without worshipping,” said Gangadahar Rath, a priest of
the temple.
The sanctum sanctorum of 9th century Vaital Duel temple was filled with water last year. Even the priests hesitated to wade through the waist-deep water to worship the deities.
“We had complained to the ASI before the monsoons reached Orissa. But as usual, the officials did not take any action. It has been 20 years now that the structure has been plagued by the problem, but nothing has happened.
edia has also been highlighting the problem for many years, but the officials are yet to act,” said Akhil Mohapatra, a priest of the temple.
When Orissa POST contacted the office of the ASI, Bhubaneswar, assistant conservator, Dilip Kumar Panda said, “I am a new appointee here. I cannot do anything without orders from the higher authority. Our superintending archaeologist has gone on a tour outside Orissa. We may take up this problem once he comes back.”