By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: “ ଆହାଃ, କି ମନମୁଗ୍ଧକର! ଲିଙ୍ଗରାଜ ମନ୍ଦିର ଏକ ଦିବ୍ୟ ଅନୁଭବ ପ୍ରଦାନ କରିବା ଅଭିମୁଖେ।ଜମି ଦାନ କରିଥିବା ଓ ସ୍ଥାନାନ୍ତର ହୋଇଥିବା ପ୍ରତିଟି ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ମୁଁ କୃତଜ୍ଞ.Pure bliss to see the sublime atmosphere around #LingarajTemple. Grateful to all who donated & relocated for the transformation#5T,” a seemingly delighted Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted @Naveen_Odisha after a having look at the newly designed renovation work at the 11th century old majestic Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiv. Chief Minister Patnaik thanked land donors for this noble cause and hailed the Olympian heights of committed work done by the 5T Department led by able VK Pandian.
It may be noted here that the Odisha government had chalked out a plan for peripheral development of the 11th century Shree Lingaraj Temple here to attract more tourists to the state capital during the post pandemic period.Works for various projects are in near completion that include beautification of ‘Bindu Sagar’ (the sacred pond), provision of substantial space and facilities for devotees, establishment of orientation centre, parking space, food plaza, Bhajana Mandap.
Plans were made to take steps for including festivals such as Maha Sivaratri, Ashokastami, Ratha Yatra and Sitala Sasthi in the National Calendar of Festivals. Bindusagar, the sacred pond near the temple, has a unique connection with Lord Lingaraj.It is the second most attractive place after the temple as religious scriptures say Bindusagar is the union of drops of water from various sacred rivers of India.It forms an important part of the spiritual life in ‘Ekamra Kshetra’ (Bhubaneswar is also called Ekamra Kshetra).
The plan also envisages a barrier-free direct connect from Lingaraj temple to Bindusagar.People can watch the ‘Chandan Yatra’ (Sandalwood festival) at Bindusagar directly from Lingaraj temple.Other temples in between like Bindhyabasini, Bhawani Shankar, Sukasari and Mohini will also be visible when the plans are executed.Historical records suggest that about 350 years ago, there was nothing between the Lingaraj temple and Bindusagar except some temples.
