Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Inaugurates SAMALEI Project at Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur
Sambalpur: In a significant development for the cultural and economic landscape of Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is set to inaugurate the Samaleswari Temple Area Management and Local Economy Initiatives (SAMALEI) project in Sambalpur town on Saturday. This momentous event follows the recent unveiling of the Srimandir Parikrama Prakalpa in Puri, underscoring the state’s commitment to cultural preservation and economic development.
Strategically timed, the SAMALEI project is particularly noteworthy as it unfolds in western Odisha, considered a stronghold for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The grand inauguration is expected to precede Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to the town in the first week of February. This temple-centric initiative by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is seen as a strategic move to counter the BJP’s Hindutva push in the state ahead of upcoming elections.
The 16th-century Samaleswari Temple, nestled on the banks of the Mahanadi River, is the revered abode of the presiding deity of western Odisha. Under the Rs 200-crore SAMALEI project, the temple’s peripheral area spanning 39 acres has undergone a remarkable transformation. The project encompasses a 1-kilometer heritage corridor, heritage gates, improved access to the temple, and state-of-the-art amenities for pilgrims. Additionally, the development of the Mahanadi riverfront is a key component of this initiative, overseen by the Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation (OBCC).
Addressing the people of Odisha on Friday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed gratitude to those who willingly relinquished their lands for the project. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he emphasized that the project had garnered the blessings of Maa Samaleswari, the presiding deity, allowing its successful completion.
The transformative improvements at the shrine are not only aimed at providing devotees with a peaceful and divine experience but are also expected to boost tourism and the local economy. Chief Minister Naveen highlighted that the renovated area will now accommodate thousands of devotees, fostering an environment for witnessing the Mahanadi Alati.
In the lead-up to the project’s inauguration, the town witnessed religious ceremonies, including a yajna conducted by temple priests. The festivities culminated in a Kalash Shobha Yatra to the Samaleswari Temple, featuring the participation of over 1000 women. The water brought during this ceremonial procession will be used for the holy bath of the deity.
Samaleswari Temple Trust Board president and priests had earlier extended an invitation to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the inauguration, scheduled for 12:30 pm. In anticipation of the event, stringent security measures have been put in place, with 35 platoons of forces and 150 police officers deployed to maintain law and order. Schools and colleges in the region will observe a holiday on the day of the inauguration.
Constructed by Balram Dev, the first Chouhan king of Sambalpur, the Samaleswari Temple is a testament to Odisha’s rich cultural heritage, constructed in the proto-Nagara style. As the SAMALEI project takes center stage, it signifies a significant step towards preserving and enhancing the cultural and economic vitality of the region.
