Keonjhar temple cries for urgent repair

KEONJHAR: Stones tumbled down SidhaJagannath temple here recently raising question marks about safety of the ancient structure. The temple is being looked after by endowment department.
Ashok Das, a local and advocate, said, "Two stones came crashing down the temple recently and it needs immediate repair. The temple is cracking as the structure remains waterlogged during rainy season due to lack of drainage facility.Trees have also grown on the temple making it weak. The Archaeological Survey of India should look after the temple."
Pravat Chandra Hota, executive officer, endowment department, and sub-collector (Keonjhar) said, " We are aware of the dilapidated condition of the temple. Huge amounts of money is required for its repair. We are consulting the ASI if it can take up the restoration work."
The temple is situated in Sidhamatha area in the foothills of Chulia near old town in Keonjhargarh. Locals say many years back, hermits were living in the area and offering puja in the temple. Unlike Jagannath temple in Puri where Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhdra are worshipped, here there is only one idol that of Lord Jagannath thus the name Sidha Jagannath. Though daily puja is offered here, no Rath Yatra is organized here like in Puri. The uniqueness of the temple is here instead of Garuda, Sidha Hanuman is worshipped in front of the temple. The dress of Lord Jagannath here is black. Some attribute it to practice of tantra in earlier days.
Sanjay Tripathy, priest of the temple, said, "Due to lack of maintenance and care, the temple is in a rundown state. Though there are no records available as to when the temple was constructed, the temple is older than Sri Baladevjew temple, which came up in 1671."
Besides the Sidha Jagannath temple, the area is home to Sidha Kali, Sidha Mahadev, and Sidha Hanuman temples too. Sources said if the structures are properly maintained then they can draw more tourists and devotees.