Bhubaneswar: The Panchalingeshwar Temple in Balasore has been closed to devotees indefinitely due to the relentless heavy rainfall in the district.
According to reports, the district has been experiencing heavy rainfall for the past four days. The strong flow of water from the nearby Debgiri hill has made it impossible for devotees to approach the Shivling, prompting temple authorities to take safety measures.
The intense water flow from the nearby hill has also submerged the Puja Mandap under a significant amount of water. As a result, the temple authorities have restricted access to ensure the safety of visitors, as the water flow has become a significant threat.
Many devotees who travelled from distant places are disappointed and have been unable to have darshan of the Lord. Some devotees were seen performing Puja rituals from a distance, while others are praying for the swift resumption of darshan.
The temple will remain closed until the water flow stabilizes and conditions become safe for devotees.