Administration in Slumber over Anla Navami Preparations, No Resolution Yet to Sevayat Demands
Sakhigopal: 03/11/2024
Saswat TV
On the upcoming 10th of November, during Kartika Shukla Paksha Navami, Odisha’s famous Anla Navami festival will be celebrated at the Sakhigopal Temple. On this auspicious day, devotees will witness the Pada Darshan (feet worship) of Maa Radharani, who will appear in traditional Odiani attire. As a result, Satyabadi is already abuzz with preparations. Painting and cleaning work has begun in and around the Sakhigopal temple, along with some basic repairs.
To ensure proper organization of the festival, the first coordination meeting was held on October 17 under the chairmanship of Satyabadi MLA Shri Om Prakash Mishra. Officers from various departments and members of the Sakhigopal Temple Sevayat Sangha were present and discussed the upcoming festival. In that meeting, the servitors raised two major demands—construction of a cremation ground for the Sevayats and an increase in the honorarium (pension/allowance). Though assurances were given that these issues would be resolved by the second coordination meeting on November 4, no concrete update has been provided by the temple administration yet.
Despite previous promises from the administration, no action had been taken, and this year again, the Sevayat Sangha’s secretary Pratap Kumar Mahapatra stated that they have only received verbal assurances without any practical solutions. In other matters discussed, the MLA had directed that encroachments along the Sakhigopal market road be cleared, but only superficial action has been taken. Temporary vendors, fish and meat sellers, and shopkeepers are still seen obstructing the roads, causing inconvenience to the public.
Due to unrepaired roads, local people are facing significant difficulties. A tree has also grown over the roof of the Ram Temple in front of Sakhigopal Temple, posing a major safety hazard.
Further compounding the situation, several electric poles have broken light fixtures hanging dangerously, leaving many parts of the market in darkness at night. The area surrounding Chandan Pokhari is covered with overgrown trees and rotting waste, creating an unbearable stench. Inside the Dharamshala and around the toilet facilities, garbage and wild plants have piled up.
While cultural programs and a fair are set to be held in the Panchasakha Padia area, water has accumulated inside the premises. Even though clear instructions were issued during the October 17 meeting for all types of repair work, it’s been 17 days and no visible action has been taken by the administration. This has led to rising concern and frustration among the local residents, who are beginning to question the effectiveness and intent of the authorities.
