Sambalpur: Plans are afoot to beautify the Samaleswari temple here and the heritage pond on its premises with light and sound show in order to attract more tourists to the famous shrine.
After the temple trust board recently approached Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) for funds for this purpose, the company has agreed to provide `25 lakh for the sound-light show at the temple.
The temple trust board has also placed a proposal before the Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) for implementation of the project at the heritage pond of the temple, said district tourist officer Rabindra Dalei.
Temple trust board member Siva Nanda said while MCL has agreed to provide `25 lakh, the project would require more funds. “We have already approached OTDC for preparing estimate of the project. We will move MCL again after the estimate is finalised,” he said.
The sound and light show at the heritage pond of the temple would act as an added attraction for the tourists who visit Samaleswari temple, he said.
The heritage pond was renovated by the tourism department and an amount of `5 lakh was spent on de-silting the water body. Pathway has been constructed at an estimated cost of about `11 lakh around the water body, he said.
Decorative lights have also been installed surrounding the water body to make it more beautiful. Similarly, `37.25 lakh will be spent on landscaping and `10.23 lakh for tiling besides `9.1 lakh on other beautification works near the pond.
“Samaleswari temple is an important shrine. The number of devotees visiting this temple is rising day by day. I am happy to know that there is a plan for sound and light show at the heritage pond,” said a visitor.
The 16th century shrine was constructed by Balram Dev, the first Chauhan king of Sambalpur and the founder of modern Sambalpur. People from across Orissa and neighboring states visit the temple to pay obeisance to Goddesses Samaleswari. PNN