Sonepur: Patali Srikshetra at Kotsamalai under Ullunda block of Subarnapur district is one of the religious and cultural sites of tourist attractions in the state. But an ambitious ropeway project for a major tourist hub in the western Odisha like Patali Srikshetra has been hanging in balance. The ropeway project was aimed at attracting more tourist footfall to the site, but the project is yet to be made functional.
Notably, its foundation stone was laid about one and a half years ago.
This shrine assumes much more importance in the western Odisha as Puri temple administration provided Chaturdha Murti to the shrine.
These deities are being worshipped on Challia hill inside a temporary house.
The shrine was accorded tourism status in 2003. Thereafter, scores of tourists and cultural researchers have been coming to the place. Some say, this shrine plays a key role in propagation and protection of Jagannath culture and Mahima cult.
For commuting facilities, tourists, researchers and locals have long been demanding installation of a ropeway to reach the hilltop.
Considering the demand of the people, the government laid the foundation stone of the ropeway February 11, 2019. The Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) had sanctioned Rs 10 crore for the ropeway at Patali Srikshetra located on Trikuta hills.
According to legend, the Trikuta hill was the abode of the Trinity of Jagannath temple in Puri to dodge an attack during the Muslim invasions in 16th century. The Trinity was concealed in a cave of Trikuta hill for 144 years.
The ropeway is to connect the foothill of Trikuta hills with the cave where the Trinity was kept.
The Odisha Construction Corporation (OCC) had been assigned the ropeway work at an estimated cost of Rs10.27 crore.
The place where the Trinity was hidden at the hill is situated at a height of about 500 metres from the foothill of Trikuta hill.
As part of the project, four trolleys are to ferry the visitors between the two places.
People from across Western Odisha visit the place. However, the visitors, particularly aged people, face difficulties in climbing the hill to reach the cave. The visitors could easily go to the cave after the ropeway project is completed.
Locals say, the ropeway will certainly boost tourism and attract more number of tourists to the place.
The proposed project at Patali Srikshetra is the second ropeway in Western Odisha, after the ropeway, connecting Jawahar Udyan with Gandhi Minar near Hirakud Dam Project (HDP) site in Sambalpur.
PNN