What are the next steps for Pataleshwar shrine in Odisha

A creek meanders beside the shrine. It gives the agricultural access to irrigation. Here, visitors swarm to view the stream and take in the breathtaking scenery. Tourists are not happy that the shrine hasn’t been restored, though.The Rayagada district headquarters is 44 km away from Chatikana. The enormous Niyamgiri hills, a portion of the Eastern Ghats, are located there. Magnificent natural splendour, the famed ‘Pataleshwar Shiva Shrine’, is located at the base of this hill. Thousands of visitors from beyond the state of Odisha also come to this location.

The Pataleswar temple’s priest, S Srinivas, stated, “The temple is approximately 100 to 150 years old.” I have spent the last thirty-two years serving the Lord. This location lacks basic amenities, despite the fact that devotees and tourists from Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh come here to visit. I implore the state administration to maintain this shrine.

Bhagaban Khora, the district tourism officer, acknowledged that the waterfall and the ancient shrine lack the necessary amenities.”It will soon be rebuilt after the government approved Rs 86 lakh for its upkeep this year. Aside from that, Chatikana has a wayside facilities centre established. Additionally, a haat has been established at Chatikana for the Dongria tribes, he said.