Bhubaneswar: Floodwaters from the swelling Mahanadi River have entered the sacred precincts of Maa Bhattarika Temple at Badamba in Kataka district, prompting the swift relocation of the deity’s movable idol to a safer site.
As per reports, continuous heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas, coupled with water discharge from the Hirakud Dam, has caused the Mahanadi River to rise significantly. As a result, floodwater has inundated the temple’s main sanctum sanctorum.
Following tradition and to ensure the uninterrupted performance of daily rituals, the temple administration and servitors immediately shifted the idol of Maa Bhattarika to a temporary sanctum located on nearby Ratnagiri hill, which serves as a flood shelter.
With the river water level continuing to rise, security arrangements around the temple have been strengthened. The local administration is closely monitoring the situation. Devotees and visitors have been advised not to approach the riverbank and to exercise caution in the area.
