Sambalpur: Samlei Temple’s New Lamp House Sparks Controversy; Excessive Heat Prevents Devotee Access

Background on the Festival and Lamp Offerings

Sambalpur: During the recent Navratri festival at Samlei Temple in Sambalpur, thousands of devotees lit mental lamps (Manasika Deepa) to seek blessings for peace, protection, relief from disease, and fulfillment of personal desires like marriage and children. The lighting of these lamps is a deeply emotional and spiritual practice for devotees in Western Odisha, who have a strong connection to the Goddess Samaleswari.

Restricted Access Due to Excessive Heat

However, this year, for the first time, devotees were not allowed to enter the new lamp house. Instead, after performing rituals and making vows, priests would take the lamps inside and arrange them in designated spots. The intense heat inside the room prevented devotees from entering, allowing them to reach only the front of the chamber. Priests warned that lighting lamps under these conditions could cause problems during future festivals, including the upcoming Chaitra festival and next year’s Dussehra.

New Lamp House Raises Complaints

The authorities demolished the older lamp house and constructed a new one as part of the “Samlei” project for the temple’s development. Officials inaugurated the new building on January 27. However, devotees and priests alike complained that the design of the new lamp house did not adequately account for ventilation, leading to excessive heat buildup. They also pointed out that there was even a restroom within the same premises, which they found inappropriate for a sacred space.

Authorities Respond to Concerns

Ambika Prasad Ray, the chief priest of Samlei Temple, confirmed the challenges posed by the high temperatures during Navratri lamp lighting. Though devotees and priests did not file any formal complaints to District Collector Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar, priests approached Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during his October 13 visit to address these issues. The minister assured them he would organize a discussion with the temple trust board, priests, and other stakeholders to explore solutions.

History of Lamp Offerings at the Temple

Historically, many lamps were lit during the Dussehra and Chaitra festivals. As the number of offerings grew, so did the space around the temple, which now houses hundreds of lamps. However, a fire caused by a short circuit two years ago in May necessitated a change in lamp lighting to a separate hall to ensure the temple’s safety. Last Dussehra, approximately 5,000 lamps were lit, demonstrating the ritual’s deep cultural significance.

The new lamp house, constructed as part of the Samlei project, spans 2,500 square feet with two halls. This year, thousands of devotees lit both nine-day and three-day lamps in these chambers, enduring high temperatures despite the restricted access.

Next Steps

The authorities and temple stakeholders will likely soon implement necessary changes to ensure both safety and accessibility in future festivals, considering the community’s concerns and the ritual’s significance.