Nrusinghnath Temple in Odisha secures Rs 5.4 crore insurance for Baisakha Mela to safeguard devotees

In a pioneering move, the Sri Sri Nrusinghnath Temple Trust has obtained an insurance cover worth Rs 5.40 crore to ensure the safety of devotees attending the upcoming Baisakha Mela. This is the first time the temple has taken such a social security measure for the festival, providing financial protection against any mishaps during the six-day religious event.

Baisakha Mela

The Baisakha Mela, held at the revered Nrusinghnath Temple near Paikmal, celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Nrusingha. This year, the event is scheduled to take place from May 7 to May 12. The festival is a major spiritual gathering, drawing thousands of pilgrims from across Odisha and neighbouring states such as Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

According to The New Indian Express, the temple trust decided on March 28 to seek insurance coverage for the mela and approached United India Insurance Company for assistance. Following several rounds of discussions, the company agreed to provide a coverage of Rs 5.40 crore in exchange for a premium of Rs 1,57,648. The premium was paid on April 29, officially activating the policy.

According to Hiramani Bhoi, a local lawyer who represented the temple trust in the negotiations, every individual entering the temple premises during the festival will be insured. In case of accidental death, each devotee will be covered for Rs 7.5 lakh, regardless of age or gender.

Sacred Ritual Bath

The Baisakha Mela spans from Triyodasi to Purnima in the Baisakha month and includes a sacred ritual bath at Gokunda Ghat, a site deeply revered by devotees—especially those from Chhattisgarh—who believe the waters have purifying powers.

With over one lakh visitors expected to attend, the temple trust has also made arrangements for drinking water and medical aid. Local law enforcement will be present in adequate numbers to ensure the festival runs smoothly and safely.

Insured Major Festivals

This step mirrors similar efforts at other major religious sites across India. For instance, Puri’s Shree Jagannath Temple insures the annual Rath Yatra, while the Sabarimala Temple provides coverage during the Mandala-Makaravilakku season. Temples such as Attukal Bhagavathy in Kerala and Pune’s Dagdusheth Ganapati and Lalbaugcha Raja also insure their major festivals.

The Nrusinghnath Temple’s initiative marks a new benchmark in public safety for religious gatherings in the region, setting a commendable example for others to follow.