Lightning Strike Damages Lingaraj Temple, Burns Flag

Bhubaneswar: A powerful lightning strike hit the sacred 11th-century Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, burning the divine flag atop the shrine and damaging several electrical systems, including around 40 CCTV cameras, temple servitors said on Thursday.

The temple city witnessed intense lightning and heavy rainfall on Wednesday afternoon, which led to waterlogging in several parts of Bhubaneswar and disrupted normal life.

According to servitors, the lightning caused severe electrical disruptions, damaging fixtures inside the sanctum sanctorum and bursting CCTV cameras. Several servitors and devotees reportedly sustained minor injuries during the incident.

Accusing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of negligence, the servitors alleged that the temple lacked proper earthing, which resulted in extensive damage to its electrical infrastructure.

A five-member ASI team visited the temple on Thursday to assess the situation and begin inspection work. While the burnt flag atop the temple has been replaced and repairs are underway, the incident has left devotees and servitors deeply shaken.