Bhubaneswar: In anticipation of the inauguration of the Samaleswari Temple Area Management and Local Economy Initiatives (SAMALEI) project in Sambalpur on January 27, the Odisha Government has declared a holiday for all schools, colleges, and government offices across the state.
The SAMALEI project, with an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore, focuses on the development and beautification of the revered Goddess Samaleswari shrine in Sambalpur. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to inaugurate the project.
The decision to declare a holiday on the occasion aligns with the significance of Maa Samaleswari in Western Odisha, considering the temple’s stature as a major Shakti Peeth in the state. The declaration aims to facilitate the active participation of devotees and enable them to celebrate the auspicious occasion, as stated in an official release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
Rituals for the project inauguration commenced earlier this week. A day before the inauguration, a Kalash Yatra will be conducted by women in Sambalpur, and the collected water will be used for the ceremonial bath of the Goddess.
Initiated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in 2021, the SAMALEI project involves the comprehensive redevelopment of the pilgrimage site. Key components include the construction of four heritage gates surrounding the temple, along with additional amenities such as parking facilities, restrooms, and vending zones for public convenience.
Furthermore, a 30-meter-wide road connecting the temple to the Mahanadi riverbank is part of the project, expected to facilitate the seamless conduct of Mahanadi alati rituals for the presiding Goddess. The SAMALEI project is poised to enhance the overall experience for devotees and visitors to the Samaleswari Temple.
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