Papadahandi, Jan, 23: A consecration ceremony of a Shivalinga discovered in the Nachanipokhana area was held on Thursday in Papadahandi block of Nabarangpur district. The site lies in the forest area located between the villages of Naktiguda, Punjiguda and Kaliaguda. On this occasion, local residents gathered in large numbers and offered prayers and worship.
A local market was also set up in the area. Among those present were Block Vice-Chairperson Sushant Kumar Behera, the MLA’s representative Rajani Kanta Sasmal, Shiva Prasad Agrawal, and others.
It is reported that Chandra Bhatra of Kaliaguda village had a divine dream on the night of 26/12. The next morning, he went to the Nachanipokhana forest, where he noticed a Shivalinga while collecting bel leaves. He then called Lakshman Bhatra, showed him the spot where the Shivalinga had manifested, and both of them cleared the surrounding bushes and leaves with the help of axes. After the area was cleared, the Shivalinga became clearly visible.
After informing the villagers, the forest area around the site was cleaned and regular worship was initiated. Devotees from villages such as Minja, Sunadangri, Papadahandi, Punjiguda, Kaliaguda and Naktiguda arrived in large numbers to have darshan of the Shivalinga and to offer prayers.