Cuttack's 800-Year-Old Ganesh Idol: Tale of Survival and Faith
Published By : Satya Mohapatra
| August 27, 2025 5:43 PM
Cuttack's Historic Ganesh Idol: Tale of Survival
On the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees in Cuttack are drawn to a special idol with a remarkable history of survival that stretches back 800 years. This five-foot-high statue of Lord Ganesh, located in a temple at Badhei Sahi, Buxi Bazaar, is not just an object of worship but a resilient symbol of the city's rich heritage.
Carved from a single block of black chlorite stone, the idol was originally installed and worshipped inside the historic Barabati Fort during the rule of the Ganga dynasty. Its story takes a dramatic turn during the invasion of Kalapahad, the Afghan general of the Nawab of Bengal. To save the sacred idol from the invaders, it was hidden by being thrown into Rani Pokhari, a pond within the fort.
Years later, the idol was rediscovered. After being worshipped for a time in a makeshift temple, it was eventually moved to its current location. Locals believe it has been worshipped in the Badhei Sahi temple for the last three hundred years, continuing to draw huge crowds, especially during the Ganesh Puja festival.
Call to Preserve a Rich Legacy
The story of this rescued idol is not unique. Many other beautiful and antique stone artifacts recovered from the Barabati Fort complex are now housed in various temples and maths across Cuttack. This has led to a growing call from heritage enthusiasts for a proper survey and documentation of these scattered treasures. Preserving their history is seen as crucial to safeguarding the Millennium City's invaluable legacy for future generations.
