Sambalpur: Smoke Concerns Rise at Samaleswari Temple! Trust Board Calls for Immediate Solution
Sambalpur: The Samaleswari Temple, dedicated to Sambalpur’s presiding deity, is currently facing a new challenge: smoke. The temple’s sanctum is filled with smoke during puja rituals because there is no proper ventilation system to exhaust the smoke from the incense sticks used during worship. As a result, the inner walls and ceiling of the sanctum are gradually becoming black. The sanctum underwent repairs a few years ago, including water drainage issues and other necessary renovations. During that time, the sanctum was thoroughly cleaned.
The Samaleswari Temple Trust Board had previously requested assistance from the State Archaeology Department to install a smoke ventilation system. Although a senior engineer from the department visited the temple, no concrete steps were taken to resolve the problem. The Archaeology Department had emphasized the need for experts from another department to handle the situation. The continuous exposure to smoke is also affecting the silver coating on Maa Samaleswari’s idol, which appears to be gradually turning black.
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Discussions with Experts: Given the growing severity of the problem, Temple Trust Board Chairman Sanjay Babu recently met with the Vice-Chancellor of Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) to discuss the situation. He requested technical assistance to resolve the smoke issue. After submitting a formal request letter, the Vice-Chancellor assured that all necessary assistance would be provided.
It is worth noting that during the previous government’s tenure, significant funds were spent on beautifying the temple grounds through the Samalei Project. However, no attention was paid to resolving the smoke problem inside the sanctuary.
