Sambalpur: New design for Samlei Scheme, 1 km long ghat will be constructed for Mahanadi Aarti like Banaras Ganga Aarti

Sambalpur: Just like Banarasi evening Ganges Aarti, Sambalpur will also have Mahanadi Aarti. Work on this is going on under the Samlei scheme. For this, the construction work has been started to build a special ghat from Samleshwari ghat for about one km. To make the ghat attractive and to ensure that there is water in the ghat throughout the year, cleaning up to one km of river channel and dredging work is also going on. There is also a proposal to construct a foot overbridge from the temple to the ghat so that there is no problem in the movement of the devotees. Samleshwari Temple Trust Board President Sanjay Babu has informed that there is a plan for Mahanadi Aarti program every evening once the project work is completed and operational.

There is a special provision in the Samlei Scheme that the Samleshwari ghat aarti can be designed like the Ganga aarti. However, there is a problem that the water will be blocked near Samleshwari Ghat. Mainly on sunny days, water problems occur in rivers. It is not possible to do mahanadi aarti forever in such a situation. For this, about 1 km from Samleshwari Ghat, Mahanadi has been cleared and dredging is in progress to remove stones and soil. This work will be completed within a day or two.

Indian tradition has Nature worship tradition. Mahanadi is the life line of Sambalpur. New problems will not arise through river beds. It has been informed that this special program is being done to make the generation aware and to spread nature worship during various programs during the last 4 years. A foot overbridge will also be constructed there for the convenience of devotees. Devotees can travel conveniently from temple to Ghat during Aarti and do not have to cross the ring road. 2 times Mahanadi Aarti program was organized in ring road with huge traffic. Due to various problems and water problems in the river, the Aarti program was not possible. Mr. Babu said that if this project is implemented, there will be river banks everywhere like Ganga banks in Sambalpur and it will attract devotees and tourists.