Bhubaneswar: From ancient temples to new divine start-ups
In the City of Temples, while ancient temples have crumbled due to time and neglect, people have found ‘spiritual’ ways to grab government land
Bhubaneswar, the City of Temples, takes its title rather seriously. Once boasting 700 temples at Ekamra Kshetra, the sacred count has dwindled to a mere 300-odd structures around Lingaraj Temple — thanks to time, neglect, and the occasional encroachment. Ancient shrines sleep beneath layers of earth, waiting for archaeologists to wake them up.
But fear not! The city's resourceful devotees have found a way to compensate for the loss of ancient temples — by building brand-new ones in the expanding localities where the city is spreading. The formula is simple. Find a piece of government land near a busy intersection. Place a vermillion-smeared stone and some flowers. Add some enthusiastic aarti sessions, loud bhajans, and festive celebrations that draw crowds.
Within months, four walls appear. A roof follows. The courtyard expands. Five years later, congratulations — you've got a Google Maps landmark! Even road construction projects bow respectfully, taking creative detours around these spontaneous shrines.
Municipal authorities face a theological dilemma: demolish an encroachment and risk divine wrath, or redesign the bypass and maintain cosmic balance? Clearly, the latter seems wiser.
Thus, while old town's ancient temples crumble quietly, new ones sprout across the city like spiritual start-ups. Bhubaneswar's temple count might be down from its golden era, but the spirit of temple-building thrives magnificently. After all, why let minor details like land ownership interfere with maintaining the city's spiritual reputation?
The Lord works in mysterious ways — and apparently, so does urban development.
Chinmay Hota, Bhubaneswar
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