Bhubaneswar: The Cuttack Chandi Temple in the Silver City is set for a makeover with the state government deciding to prepare a master plan for development of the shrine within a week.
The master plan would be submitted to the Chief Minister for his approval, said an official.
5T Secretary VK Pandian, who visited the shrine Thursday on the direction of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, offered prayers before Goddess Chandi—the presiding deity of Cuttack and discussed various issues of the temple with the priests, officials of the district administration and locals, sources said.
The temple committee will hold discussions with the Cuttack administration on various developmental works to be undertaken for the shrine.
The temple authorities appraised the 5T Secretary about waterlogging, parking and other issues related to the shrine.
According to sources, the state government is keen to beautify the shrine and develop amenities for the devotees.
“The Chief Minister has given a clear-cut direction for the development of Chandi Mandir, a symbol of faith and devotion for lakhs of devotees,” said the official.
Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Suresh Chandra Dalai, Cuttack Collector Bhabani Shankar Chayani, Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Anil Kumar Samal, Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) Commissioner Ananya Das and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Prateek Singh were present during the 5T Secretary’s visit to the temple.
The Cuttack Chandi Temple, one of the oldest shrines in Odisha, attracts more than 20 lakh devotees in a year.
Although there is no written history of the temple, the legend says that late Hansa Panda, who was the priest of the then Kanika king of Cuttack, used to graze cattle on the land, where the present temple stands.
One day, Panda was feeling tired and took rest there. On the same night, the Goddess Katakeswari Chandi appeared in his dream and asked him to take her out of the land. Panda narrated the incident to the Kanika king, who ordered his workers to dig up the place. Subsequently, the idol of the Goddess was found, says the legend.
The idol is being worshipped as Goddess Katak Chandi since then, locals said.
Durga Puja is a major festival celebrated at the temple when the Goddess is worshipped in various incarnations of Goddess Durga. The festival is celebrated in temple for 16 days starting Ashwina Krishna Ashtami till Ashwina Shukla Navami and Vijaya Dashami. Only Hindus are allowed entry to the shrine, sources said.