On Brink Of Collapse, Centuries-Old ‘Aghori Math’ Cries For Renovation In Odisha’s Ganjam

Berhampur: Even as Odisha government has been developing temples and shrines across state, the centuries old “Aghori Math” near Berhampur in Ganjam district is on the brink of collapse for lack of patronage and maintenance.

Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra along with Goddess Chandi are worshipped in the Aghori Math at Sukunda, about 3 km from Berhampur. With its asbestos roof broken at several points, the sun shines on the deities during day and rainwater drenches them during the rainy season, while the old walls threaten to cave in at any moment.

With very few devotees visiting the shrine, the deities are worshipped and offered “Anna Prasad” by the priest once in a day. “I come to the Math daily to perform puja and somehow manage to offer ‘Anna Bhog’ to the deities. The place has become inaccessible due to growth of wild plants and creepers and poisonous snakes move around in dark at night. Fearing threat to their lives, nobody including myself, dares visit the abode,” said priest Surendra Sahu.

Surendra claimed that this is the second ‘Aghori Math’ in entire Odisha after Puri. This abode for Aghoris was built three centuries ago and the King of Mahuri installed the three deities there to perform puja, he added.

“The mutt needs urgent steps for renovation. If no measure is taken for its preservation, the heritage site will crumble into oblivion soon,” the priest said.

Eminent historian and researcher Anantaram Kar Kaundinya said the Aghoris, who generally prefer to live in the burial grounds and practice tantra, established themselves as a powerful sect when Buddhism degraded in the country about 400 years ago.