Kendrapara: Baladev Sena, an organisation of youths, have been cleaning the premises of the 400-year-old Baladevjew Temple, the abode of Lord Baladevjew – the elder brother of Lord Jagannath. The youths remove garbage from the temple premises regularly to ensure a clean environment at the shrine, which is also a major place of worship in the state.
Daman Mohanty, the convenor of Baladev Sena, said that around six months ago some of them visited Baladevjew Temple and came across heaps of banana leaves choking drains on the temple premises. So they decided to clean it up to provide a better environment to devotees.
“Some youths of Kendrapara organised a meeting and later decided to clean the premises of the Baladevjew Temple at Ichhapur the day after every Sankranti and after all major festivals. During Sankranti and other festivals we can see heaps of banana leaves, polythene covers and use and throw glasses on the temple premises,” said Papun Swain, the president of Baladev Sena.
Later, some Sena members contacted the Executive Officer of Baladevjew Endowment Trust Board and sought permission to clean the temple premises. The Temple Trust Board allowed them to remove garbage regularly from the premises.
Since last six months the Sena have been cleaning the temple premises after all major festivals. Sena members generally reach the temple with spades, broomsticks and baskets and clean up the premises.
“We are happy to clean Lord Baladevjew’s abode,” said Daman Mohanty, the convenor of Baladev Sena.
“Due to staff shortage very often garbage piles up on the temple’s premises. The Baladev Sena is doing a commendable job, said Balabhadra Patri, the Executive Officer of the Baladevjew Temple Endowment Board.
PNN