Khamar: Everybody knows about the hot springs at Atri in Ganjam distrist. However, there is another hot spring which lies undetected from prying eyes at Magarmuhan under Pallahara block of Angul district. The hot spring is known as ‘Magarnaka’.
This scenic place has caught the attention of Pallahara MLA Mukesh Kumar Pal. He is making efforts to develop the place and make it a tourist attraction.
Hot water has been bubbling out from a crevice at the base of a hill. It looks like the elongated snout of an alligator. The hot spring is surrounded by thick forests.
Locals had earlier requested the lawmaker to develop the place as tourist spot. Close to the spring is an ancient Lord Shiva temple. Pal had earlier donated Rs 3,00,000 for its restoration.
A team of officials at the request of Pal visited the spot and conducted a survey. They have suggested certain modifications to develop the place. Among them is construction of stairs, digging a pond and developing other infrastructure.
Chakradhar Satpathy, a priest of Magarnaka temple, said that this natural scenic spot is far from the sight of people. “Efforts to develop the place are welcome. Two to three ponds need to build for storing hot water,” he said.
Sanatan Pradhan, a local resident said that the hot spring has been lying neglected over the years. However, now the steps to develop it are a matter of joy for locals.
“There are several areas that have the potential to be developed as tourist spots in the Pallahara Assembly constituency. Development of the Magarnaka hot springs will be taken up,” said Nabakishore Nayak, the chairperson of Pallahara block.
PNN