Why is the Historic Bhudharchandi Temple in Nilagiri Falling Apart?

The Neglect of a Cultural Gem

In Nilagiri, despite the state government allocating significant funds for the enhancement of religious sites, numerous historic temples and shrines continue to suffer from neglect. A prime example is the ancient Bhudharchandi temple located in Sajanagarh, Balasore district.

This temple, situated a mere five kilometers from Nilagiri, is managed by the Endowment Department and is believed to have been established during the reign of the Nilagiri royal family. Although there is no definitive historical record of its founding, it is thought that King Narayan Basanta Birata Bhujanga Mandhata commissioned the temple around 1452 AD.

In the late 1500s, the temple faced destruction when it was attacked by the invader Kalapahad, leading to the idol being concealed beneath a neem tree for protection. Later, King Ramachandra Mardaraj Harichandan reconstructed the temple after receiving a divine vision.

Currently, this heritage site is in a state of disrepair. The temple's outer wall is deteriorating, with visible cracks and peeling plaster. Years of neglect have resulted in moss covering the wall and vegetation sprouting from the fissures.

Although the temple attracts numerous devotees and tourists, especially during festivals, the lack of upkeep has led to dissatisfaction among visitors. A public restroom built nearby at a significant cost is now non-functional, causing ongoing issues for female visitors.

In 2024, the state government approved a budget of Rs 20 lakh for the restoration of the temple's boundary wall, which was assigned to the Nilagiri Adivasi Unnayana Sanstha. However, reports indicate that no renovations have commenced.

Karu Soren, the project administrator of the integrated tribal development agency, confirmed that the funds were received ten months ago. He noted that while project estimates were prepared and a tender was issued, delays caused by a lack of cooperation from the assistant executive engineer have stalled progress. Consequently, a letter has been drafted to return the funds due to inactivity.

The temple's head priest, Bijay Kumar Panda, voiced his disappointment, highlighting that while the government has been active in restoring other temples, the lack of urgency from certain officials has hindered progress in this case. Local residents are now calling for immediate administrative action to kickstart restoration efforts.