Maa Batamangala Temple and Saptapheni Mahima Ashram Excluded from Renovation Plan
Kakatpur, 02/09 – While the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik has approved a budget of ₹1.78 crore for the renovation and development of nearly 30 monasteries and temples under Kakatpur block of Puri district, two ancient and revered religious sites—Maa Batamangala Temple and the Saptapheni Mahima Ashram located in Patharpaka village under Patasundarpur Panchayat—have been excluded from the renovation scheme.
These sacred sites are situated to the north of the holy Prachi River and to the south of the Devi River basin. Devotees from far and wide, including followers of the Mahima Dharma, visit these places to offer prayers and perform rituals.
For nearly 50 years, a grand festival has been organized on the auspicious occasion of Magha Saptami at the Maa Batamangala Peeth. However, due to a lack of proper infrastructure such as a community hall (Bhog Mandap), Yagnashala (sacrificial fire hall), Ananda Bazar (market area), and parking facilities, devotees coming from distant places have expressed dissatisfaction with the conditions at the site.
As a result, the villagers—under the leadership of Maa Batamangala Suraksha Manch—and local devotees have strongly demanded that these two religious sites be included in the state government’s temple renovation plan. Prominent voices leading this demand include Santosh Kumar Swain, Kabula Biswal, Ajit Kumar Nayak, Pavitra Mohan Swain, Rohit Nayak, Bauribandhu Parida, Ramakanta Nayak, Suresh Nayak, and Tulu Nayak, along with all the residents of the village, local devotees, and numerous followers of the Alekha Mahima Dharma.
