Nabarangpur: A massive rock, which recently rolled down the historic Podagada hill in Umerkote area of Nabarangpur district, has now turned into a place of religious attraction.
Thousands of people are now flocking the area and have started to worship the rock that got stuck in the middle of the hill. People especially in Galibhata and nearby areas consider the phenomenon to be some divine or supernatural occurrence.
Not only Odisha, people from several villages in neighbouring Chhattisgarh too are thronging the place to have a glimpse of the ‘miracle’ and offer their prayers.
The congregation of a large number of people to the spot, it is alleged, is resulting in the violation of the COVID-19 guidelines including social distancing norms.
https://youtu.be/Lyo3UeYSh88
As per the popular local folklore, Podagada hill was the capital of the Nala dynasty and one could find temples and idols at the hill. Hence, the place assumes religious importance among the locals.
“It is some supernatural incident and many might consider it to be some blind faith in the 21st century. But people here consider it some divine intervention as there been no earthquake or lightning strike which may have led the stone to tumble down,” said researcher, Kailash Chandra Behera.
According to Behera, anticipating that the coming down of the rock might be ominous, people have started worshiping it out of fear.
Also Read: Watch: Dying Baby Monkey Gets New Life, Netizens Thankful