Rayagada: The presiding deity of Rayagada, Maa Majhighariani’s temple, is set to undergo Nabakalebara (a major transformation/renovation). The state government has announced a grant of Rs. 30 crore for this initiative. The construction responsibility has been entrusted to the Works Department. According to Executive Engineer Ambikeya Mishra, construction work will begin after the tender process is completed.
Currently, the temple is surrounded by shops, markets, and offices, making it difficult to view the temple properly. Therefore, an independent design has been prepared. The area surrounding the temple, including its boundary, will be made attractive, and a new road will be constructed for better access to the temple.
There will be 26 retail outlets for the sale of puja items and other daily-use items. The first floor will house a tonsuring center with the capacity to serve 50 devotees at a time. The second floor will have the temple trust committee’s office, and the top floor will have a community dining center capable of feeding 250 people.
There will be three main entrances to the temple from three directions, and the renovation of the old Pada Mandira (footprint shrine) has also been decided. The Railways had issued a notice for the demolition of the road and main entrance in front of the temple for the construction of the third railway line between Rayagada and Visakhapatnam. However, this plan has been stalled after the Revenue Department decided to hand over 6 acres of land to the Railways.
Once the cabinet decision is made, the land transfer process will be completed. The temple management committee stated that after the land transfer is finalized, there will be no obstacles to the temple’s development.
In the meantime, the temple management committee, led by chairman Raising Bidika, has expressed its gratitude to the state government for providing the Rs. 30 crore grant for the temple’s development.