Balasore, Aug 20: Devotees have been temporarily barred from having darshan at the renowned Panchalingeshwar Temple in Nilagiri in Balasore, following heavy rainfall and a dangerously strong water flow from the nearby waterfall.
According to sources, the forceful flow of water has inundated the Puja mandap area where oil lamps are traditionally lit for worship raising safety concerns for both devotees and temple staff. Authorities have therefore suspended darshan for a indefinite period of time and restricted access to key areas of the temple, including the sacred Lingam.
As a result, several devotees, especially those who traveled from outside the state, expressed disappointment over the sudden restrictions.
“We came all the way to seek blessings from Baba Panchalingeswar, but are disheartened to find the darshan suspended. Still, we offered our prayers and completed the rituals from a distance,” said one visiting devotee.
Officials are closely monitoring the situation and will resume darshan once conditions are deemed safe.
