The famous Dhabaleswar Temple in Cuttack's Athagarh has reopened for the public today after staying off the limits from November 1 owing to the repair work of the hanging bridge.
A temporary bridge has been built over the Mahanadi river for devotees and tourists to reach the temple. However, the hanging bridge will remain off-limits until the repair work is completed.
The administration had planned to reopen the famous temple during Makar Sankranti. However, the temporary bridge work was completed early following which the Athagarh sub-collector gave orders for its reopening ahead of the Makar Sankranti, sources informed.
Now, devotees can use the temporary bridge to visit the temple and offer their prayers. On the other hand, the repair work of the hanging bridge that has remained closed to the public, after the horrific bridge tragedy at Morbi in Gujarat, is yet to be completed.
In the wake of the bridge mishap, an expert team from Kolkata was roped in to carry out a detailed inspection of the hanging bridge that connects the centuries-old Shiva shrine.
Every year during Makar Sankranti, lakhs of devotees visit the temple and use the hanging bridge. However, tourists will not be able to use the suspension bridge this year.