Bhubaneswar: Two snake idols were found dumped at a garbage heap at the north gate of Lingaraj temple here Thursday.
Taking strong exception to the way the serpent idols at the Lingaraj temple are being treated, local residents observed that such incidents are not new to them.
“In the past on many occasions we had come across such idols that have been thrown carelessly. We had taken the matter up with the temple administration, but no avail,” said the locals.
Some others held the temple administration entirely responsible for such incidents. “The laxity at the temple security system has once again been exposed. It is only happening because the State Endowment Department and Archeological Survey of India (ASI) are not taking care of their responsibilities,” they rued.
“There are policemen, security guards and servitors at the temple. Despite having them inside and outside the temple round the clock, recovery of snake idols from dumping yard is shocking,” observed servitor and temple astrologer Narayan Acharya.
After coming across such incidents, some visitors, when asked for their reactions, said such occurrences would hurt the sentiments of devotees visiting this 11th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
PNN