What made Odisha relocate centuries-old temple

Kendrapara: In a glaring example how coastal erosion due to rise in sea level is posing a serious threat, a centuries temple in Kendrapara's Satabhaya village, which is constantly being engulfed by the sea, had to be shifted to prevent it from the imminent  danger of getting destroyed.

After years of pressing their demand before the Odisha government to shift the centuries-old shrine of 'Maa Panchubarahi', the locals of Satabhaya village finally shifted the deities from the temple to a new place today.

Satabhaya was almost ravaged by cyclone back in 1971 and has never been able to recover. Rising sea level and coastal erosion has been a constant threat and the sea has engulfed most part of the village.

As many as 571 families residing in the village feel fortunate enough to have escaped disasters and give all credit to the blessings of the goddesses of Panchubarahi temple.

But even though the government had made all arrangements for their relocation to Bagapatia village around 12 km away from Satabhaya, all the locals are yet to leave the village and have been demanding 'relocation of the goddesses of Panchubarahi ' along with them.

Earlier in 2016, the district administration had requested the State government to help relocate the shrine.

Today, thousands of men and women with fervour and enthusiasm carried the deities to their new place.

"We cannot explain our feelings to see that our presiding deities who have always stayed and protected us from all kinds of troubles," a devotee said.

"Even though we left our old houses with a heavy heart, we are very happy now since we have got our deities back," said another local.

"I want to let everyone know that our tradition is still alive," said the erstwhile scion of Rajkanika, Sibendra Narayan Bhanjadeo.