Bhadrak: The Odisha government announced Rs 10 crore for development of Baba Akhandalamani Temple at Aradi in Bhadrak district on Wednesday, coinciding with the Maha Shivratri celebrations.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida informed that the Tourism Department would allocate the amount for development of the temple and its surroundings, after offering prayers there. “Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj has assured that the government will add to amount whatever required for the purpose,” she added.
The temple is situated on the banks of the Baitarini and is an important tourist spot in the district.
Besides Suraj, Bhadrak MLA Sitansu Sekhar Mohapatra, and Bhadrak Collector Dilip Routray accompanied Parid to the shrine.
ଦେବଦେବ ମହାଦେବ ସତ୍ୟ, ଶିବ, ସୁନ୍ଦର🙏
ଆରଡ଼ି ଆଖଣ୍ଡଳମଣି ପୀଠର ଉନ୍ନତୀକରଣ ପାଇଁ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ୧୦ କୋଟି ଟଙ୍କା ବ୍ୟୟବରାଦ ହୋଇଛି ଆଗାମୀ ଦିନରେ ମନ୍ଦିରର ଉନ୍ନତି ପାଇଁ ଯାହା ଖର୍ଚ୍ଚ ହେବ ରାଜ୍ୟ ସରକାର ସବୁ ବହନ କରିବେ । #Mahasivaratri #HarHarMahadevॐ #Akhandalamani #Bhadrak pic.twitter.com/dB0H84zVsq— Pravati Parida (@PravatiPOdisha) February 26, 2025
According to legends, king Niladri Samara Singha Mohapatra started worshipping the Akhandalamani some 350 years ago, when the black glazed granite stone was found underground and he dreamt of the god. The temple is known for its artistic carvings.
