Chhatrapur: The crown finial of a long-submerged temple has resurfaced on the beach near Old Podampeta village in Ganjam district, drawing widespread curiosity and crowds of visitors to the coast.
Local residents recall that the coastline was once two to three km away from Podampeta village.
However, relentless coastal erosion—driven by sea-level rise and climate change—eventually swallowed the entire settlement, including the unfinished temple, beneath the sea.
Villagers believe the temple was built around 25 years ago, though its consecration rituals were never completed.
Opinions differ on the shrine’s presiding deity, with some attributing it to Maa Gangadevi and others to Maa Polamma.
Interest in the site surged after local youths posted a video of the newly exposed temple crown on social media, where it quickly went viral.
A sudden shift in sea currents and recent low tide exposed the structure after years under sand and water, sparking debate among locals.
People from nearby villages have been flocking to the beach to catch a glimpse of the re-emerged structure, turning the quiet shoreline into a bustling hub.
No official investigation or administrative team had visited the site at the time of reporting.
Experts noted that only a thorough archaeological inspection will determine the full extent and depth of the temple structure buried beneath the sand.
