14.05 hrs.
The Lok Sabha re-assembled after Lunch at five minutes
past Fourteen of the Clock.
(Shri Basu Deb Acharia in the Chair)
Title: Need to provide funds to Government of Orissa for proper maintenance of Baldevjiu temple at Keonjhargarh.*
SHRI ANANTA NAYAK (KEONJHAR): Sir, the preservation of the 16th centuryâs Baldevjiu temple at Keonjhargarh in Orissa needs special attention of the Government of India. Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and deity Subhadra are being worshipped in that famous temple by thousands of devotees. It is one of the famous ancient monuments in Orissa. The famous car festival is held there every year which draws thousands of pilgrims from all over India. Besides, tourists, visiting nearby Sidhmath, Sanghagra and Badghagra also pay a visit to that temple. But the temple and its complex are not being maintained properly. The State Government is not able to bear the cost of maintenance and preservation due to constraint of resources.
In view of the urgent need of the maintenance and preservation of the Baldevjiu temple and also of the temple complex, I demand that adequate funds be given for the necessary work without any further delay.