Lightning strike damages Lingaraj Temple flag, ASI team inspects site in Bhubaneswar

A team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Thursday inspected the Lingaraj Temple premises in Bhubaneswar after a lightning strike during Wednesday’s heavy rain burned the temple flag and damaged several CCTV cameras and electrical fittings inside the complex.

Following the inspection, the burnt flag atop the temple was removed and replaced with a new one as per ritual procedure.

ASI Team Assesses Damage

Sources reported that the ASI team visited the site early Thursday morning to assess the impact of the lightning strike on the 11th-century shrine, one of Odisha’s most revered monuments. The inspection followed a report from temple servitors, who noticed the damage after the thunderstorm subsided.

Preliminary findings by the ASI team suggested that the temple flag and a few CCTV cameras were affected, along with lighting fixtures inside the sanctum area. 

The temple has around 35 CCTV cameras installed as part of its security surveillance system, and the exact number of cameras damaged is still being verified. 

Flag Replaced, CCTV Damage Under Review

Temple authorities confirmed that the burnt flag was ceremonially replaced soon after the ASI team completed its inspection.

Reports added that ASI officials are now evaluating the extent of the electrical damage caused by the lightning strike, particularly to the CCTV network and the light fittings inside the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum).

Servitors said that the incident occurred during Wednesday’s intense downpour, accompanied by thunder and lightning, which hit parts of Bhubaneswar. However, the full extent of the damage was only noticeable this morning.

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Temple Functioning Normal

Despite the damage, daily rituals and darshan at the Lingaraj Temple continued as usual, with no disruption to public access or worship. The ASI is expected to file a detailed report on the incident and recommend measures to safeguard electrical systems in the heritage complex against future lightning strikes.

It is worth noting that the Lingaraj Temple, one of the finest examples of Kalinga architecture, is protected under the ASI’s Bhubaneswar Circle, which oversees its conservation and maintenance.