Floodwaters reach Maa Bhattarika temple premises for second time this year

Narsinghpur: The flood waters of Mahanadi have approached the threshold of sacred Maa Bhattarika Pitha of Badamba in Odisha’s Kataka district for the second time this year.

The rise in Mahanadi is caused by the opening of Hirakud Dam gate along with the continuous rainfall in the past two days.

As per sources, the flood waters have reached the courtyard of the Temple although the deity of the Goddess has not been yet inundated as per a customary ritual locally called ‘Jalasayi’.

Temple sources are apprehensive of reaching the water to the latter level might take more time to reach and in this relation preparations are being made, keeping the idol ready to be shifted to the Rosha Ghara (Temple Kitchen) close to it in case the water enters the shrine.

Meanwhile, the servitors are alert, and the Endowment Department of Badamba is closely monitoring the situation.

The authorities concerned have also made adequate arrangements for uninterrupted conduct of daily worship and service of the deity despite the rising floodwaters.