Kataka: In a remarkable discovery, more than 100 small and large Naga idols were recovered from the waters of the Mahanadi River near Ogalpur village in Kataka district on Friday, triggering a wave of devotion among local residents.
According to locals, when a group of youths from Ogalpur had gone to the river for a bath in the forenoon during bathing, they felt hard objects beneath the riverbed. Curious, they attempted to pull one out but were unable to do so due to its weight. They then called six other companions, and together they managed to retrieve what turned out to be a large Naga idol measuring approximately three to four feet in height.
Encouraged by the discovery, the youths continued searching the area and recovered around 100 Naga idols of varying sizes from the same location.
Soon after the recovery, the idols were placed on the riverbank where the youths lit incense sticks and lamps and performed prayers. The idols were later shifted near the Sambeshwar Deva Shiva Temple in Ogalpur, where devotees gathered to offer their respects.
Local residents suspect the idols may have been stolen from an unknown location and later dumped into the river. However, there is no official confirmation regarding the origin of the idols or the circumstances under which they came to be in the Mahanadi.
The youths who recovered the idols said they intend to hand them over to the temple committee for safekeeping and further action.
Police or district authorities had not issued any official statement on the recovery at the time of filing this report.
