Kalki avatar row: Baikuntha Dham ashram to be demolished, BDA orders to vacate by Jan 17 noon

The Orissa High Court has paved the way for the demolition of the controversial Baikuntha Dham Ashram in Khandagiri that made headlines after a man portrayed his minor son as 'Kalki', the tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has directed immediate eviction and set a deadline by noon on Jan 17, 2025 to vacate the ashram premises. Announcements about the eviction order are being made via microphones in the area.

Following the eviction, the BDA plans to demolish the ashram. Reports indicate that the ashram authorities had previously misled the High Court by submitting false information regarding the matter. However, the High Court has recently lifted the stay order, paving the way for the demolition.

What's The ‘Kalki Avatar’ Row In Odisha?

Kashinath Mishra, owner of the Baikuntha Dham Ashram, portrayed his then minor son as the “Kalki Avatar”, tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Along with the claims, he further hurt the religious sentiments of many when a picture of his son circulated where the holy Tulsi leaves and garlands were placed on his feet. 

For Odias, significance of Tulsi is impeccable and is placed on Lord Jagannath’s crown. Hindus consider Tulsi as pious and is used in almost all religios activities including offering garlands of Tulsi leaves to Lord Jagannath at Puri Srimandir.

Following the revelation, the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) has registered a suo moto case and asked for reports from the local police and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).

Further controversies that circulated the ashram is that it was built on government owned land illegally. Officials from the General Administration (GA) Department reportedly visited the site to ascertain if there had been any encroachment of government land. Accompanied by the enforcement squad of the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), the team conducted a preliminary assessment to measure the total area occupied by the ashram. Following the assessment, the Additional Director of the GA Department confirmed that the ashram had been built on government land.

Claims Made By Owner Of Baikuntha Dham Ashram: 

The ashram and administration portrayed the owner’s then 5-year-old as the “Kalki Avatar” and exploited the beliefs of general public, reportedly. The ashram charged various amount of money to the people visiting with issues including unemployment and pregnancy.

However, the owner refuted to all claims saying that he has no idea about the picture that circulated recently. He said, The photo which is doing rounds on social medias, was taken 10 years ago when my son was only 5-year-old. The photo was taken at a birthday event  at my friend's house.  Neither me nor my wife was present in the photo."

How Did Public React To The Claims?

Rajya Samajsevi Mahasangha criticized the practices of the ashram calling the incident unfortunate and also claimed that the pravachanas made by the owner, Kashinath Mishra, are all false.

Rationalist, Devendra Suttar said that such instances are threat for religion as well. They played with the emotions of people with such claims of that child is the avatar of Lord Vishnu.