Cuttack: Following heavy downpours in the upper catchment of the Mahanadi River and the discharge of excess water from Hirakud Dam, floodwater has inundated Maa Bhattarika Temple in Badamba area in the district.
As per reports, the idol of the presiding deity was relocated by the temple servitors to a safe place atop Ratnagiri hill close to the temple at midnight following the rise in floodwater.
After relocation, though the puja got delayed, the rituals were carried out without any interruption. As precautionary measures, all doors of the temple have been left open to release the floodwater.
While most of the devotees are returning from the temple without darshan, others are climbing atop the mountain to the shelter.
The endowment department in Badamba has made elaborate arrangements to prevent any disruption in the conduct of the puja rituals of Maa Bhattarika.
