Chief Minister Unveils ₹215 Crore Development Plan for Maa Tarini Temple

Significant Infrastructure Development Announced

In a significant move to enhance the infrastructure at the Ghatagaon Maa Tarini Temple in Keonjhar district, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi revealed a detailed development plan worth ₹215 crore during his visit to the temple, coinciding with the Odia New Year and Maha Bishuba Sankranti (Pana Sankranti) on Monday.

During his visit, Majhi paid his respects to the goddess, engaged in various rituals, and observed the goddess adorned in her golden attire (Suna Besha). This event also marked the conclusion of the 89th Chaiti Parva at the temple.

Accompanied by Keonjhar MP Ananta Nayak and other party members, the Chief Minister arrived at the temple via a rally from a temporary helipad set up at Ghatagaon stadium.

Majhi announced that a comprehensive project report (DPR) is currently being drafted to facilitate the overall development of the temple complex. The initiative aims to restore and beautify the temple structure while improving infrastructure, including access roads, facilities for pilgrims, parking, lighting, and sanitation.

Earlier this year, during his first complete budget presentation in the Assembly, Majhi had allocated ₹225 crore for the temple's development.

He mentioned that once the DPR receives approval, a groundbreaking ceremony will be organized to commence redevelopment efforts around the shrine.

Following his temple visit, Majhi participated in Hanuman Jayanti celebrations at Labanya Chhak in Keonjhar town.

On this occasion, thousands of devotees from across the state and beyond gathered to witness the Suna Besha of Maa Tarini, a tradition upheld by the temple trust board since 1937. The priests, known as ‘Dehuri’, performed a sacred bathing ritual for the deity using milk, cheese, turmeric, chua, sandalwood paste, and honey early in the morning.

The goddess was then adorned with gold ornaments as part of the Suna Besha rituals. Devotees participated in the ‘Arati’ ceremony, which included incense sticks, lamps, and offerings, accompanied by the sounds of conch shells, bells, and gongs. Afterward, devotees were permitted to enter the shrine for a ‘darshan’ of the goddess.

On Monday, long queues of devotees were observed, with police deployed to manage traffic and ensure public safety. Volunteer groups provided cold water and ‘pana’ to the attendees and sprayed water to help them cope with the intense heat.