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Foreign national enters Lingaraj temple, rituals disrupted

Foreign national enters Lingaraj temple, rituals disrupted

Chief of the Brahmana Nijog Biranchi Narayan Pati said a purification ritual was subsequently performed in the temple and the 'abhada' prepared for Lord Lingaraj worth thousands of rupees was dumped in 'Amunia' pool. The temple servitors, however, questioned the security frisking at the entrance of the temple.
'This is not the first time that foreign nationals have entered the temple. It is surprising that temple officials and police are not able to recognise them during their entry. This results in disruption of rituals and also, wastage of a lot of abhada that is cooked. It is the Suar Mahasuar Nijog that bears the cost of this wastage,' Pati said.
Sources in the temple office said from his appearance, they could not recognise him as a foreign national.
Meanwhile, the schedule for Sital Sasthi celebration at Lingaraj temple was finalised at a preparatory meeting on Friday. While the divine wedding will take place on May 30 at Kedar Gauri temple, the deities will return to Lingaraj temple the next day.
It was decided that the wedding procession will begin from Lingaraj temple at 10.40 pm on May 30 and the wedding will be over by 3 am. The divine couple will return to Lingaraj temple the next day at 9.30 pm.

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INTACH voices concern over low-level flights near heritage sites from BPIA
INTACH voices concern over low-level flights near heritage sites from BPIA

United News of India

time4 days ago

  • United News of India

INTACH voices concern over low-level flights near heritage sites from BPIA

Bhubaneswar, June 19 (UNI) The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has raised serious concerns over low-altitude flights taking off from the main runway of Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), Bhubaneswar. Anil Dhir, convenor of the INTACH Bhubaneswar Chapter, has written to the Director of BPIA urging amendments to the existing Standard Instrument Departure (SID) chart for the airport's main runway. Dhir has also brought the matter to the attention of the Superintendent Archaeologist of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Bhubaneswar Circle, as well as the Union Culture Secretary. In his letter, Dhir pointed out that many aircraft departing from runway 14/32 at BPIA make a sharp ascending right turn almost immediately after takeoff — sometimes even before the landing gear is fully retracted. This maneuver brings the aircraft alarmingly close to the ancient Lingaraj temple. Based on a two-month study conducted in the Old Town area of Bhubaneswar, where the temple is located, Dhir observed that several aircraft come dangerously close to the temple structure. The temple's main spire stands 180 feet (55 meters) tall, while the aircraft at the point of the turn are often at altitudes of just 1,000 to 1,200 feet. A former trainee pilot, Dhir emphasized that although the current departure pattern adheres to the SID outlined by Bhubaneswar Air Traffic Control, it is avoidable. He suggested that delaying the right turn by merely 10 seconds would ensure aircraft fly well clear of the heritage structure. He warned that low-level flights over such ancient monuments, especially during takeoff when engines operate at full thrust, pose significant risks, including physical damage, intense noise pollution, and structural vibrations that may harm the temple. "The structural integrity of the Lingaraj temple is already in a fragile state," Dhir stated. "Continued exposure to such vibrations could exacerbate existing weaknesses, potentially resulting in cracks, loosening of stone joints, and even partial or complete collapse." Dhir has submitted photographs and video evidence, including recordings taken from within aircraft as a passenger. He identified flights operated by Air India, IndiGo, and Akasa as those flying closest to the temple. In contrast, several other aircraft departing from the same runway maintain a straight climb, avoiding the heritage zone altogether. Flying over ASI-protected monuments is generally prohibited within designated restricted zones. Even drones or other aerial devices are banned near such sites under current regulations. Dhir reminded that the ASI bears the responsibility of protecting these historical structures and that any aerial activity posing potential harm is in violation of these protective mandates. Citing the recent Air India Dreamliner crash at Ahmedabad Airport, Dhir, a heritage expert, urged authorities to treat this issue with utmost seriousness. UNI DP PRS

Constable arrested for rape bid on niece, dismissed from service
Constable arrested for rape bid on niece, dismissed from service

Time of India

time04-06-2025

  • Time of India

Constable arrested for rape bid on niece, dismissed from service

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Foreign national enters Lingaraj temple, rituals disrupted
Foreign national enters Lingaraj temple, rituals disrupted

New Indian Express

time24-05-2025

  • New Indian Express

Foreign national enters Lingaraj temple, rituals disrupted

Chief of the Brahmana Nijog Biranchi Narayan Pati said a purification ritual was subsequently performed in the temple and the 'abhada' prepared for Lord Lingaraj worth thousands of rupees was dumped in 'Amunia' pool. The temple servitors, however, questioned the security frisking at the entrance of the temple. 'This is not the first time that foreign nationals have entered the temple. It is surprising that temple officials and police are not able to recognise them during their entry. This results in disruption of rituals and also, wastage of a lot of abhada that is cooked. It is the Suar Mahasuar Nijog that bears the cost of this wastage,' Pati said. Sources in the temple office said from his appearance, they could not recognise him as a foreign national. Meanwhile, the schedule for Sital Sasthi celebration at Lingaraj temple was finalised at a preparatory meeting on Friday. While the divine wedding will take place on May 30 at Kedar Gauri temple, the deities will return to Lingaraj temple the next day. It was decided that the wedding procession will begin from Lingaraj temple at 10.40 pm on May 30 and the wedding will be over by 3 am. The divine couple will return to Lingaraj temple the next day at 9.30 pm.

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