Jajpur, September 28 (Odisha.in) The current floods, caused by the incessant rains in the river Baitarnai and Brahmani rivers, have not spared even the gods and goddesses in Jajpur district.
The temples in the flood-affected blocks of Bari, Jajpur, Dasarathapur, Korei and Dharmasala are under neck deep water since last three days.
However, the priests in the flood-affected temples at Barahi, Sidheswar, Saptamatruka, Budha Ganesh ,Gokarneswar and Sun temple swim across to observe the daily rites and rituals.
The rituals and rites of worshipping in the flood hit deities is now a symbolic observance.In many riverside villages, the villagers carry on the rites of Gramadevati (village deity) everyday on their own.
Common belief is that neglect in rituals to Gramadevati may invite displeasure of the almighty.
But the floods force the villagers refrain them from the daily puja for days together, informed Pravat Kumar Mohanty of Gammu village under Bari block adding his village’s presiding deity, lord Astasambhu has not been worshipped since Tuesday.
Driven by sheer religious sentiments, many villagers of Bari block, the worst flood affected in the Jajpur district ferrying on the makeshift rafts to make their offering, said Sanjat Kumar Mohanty of Neula village of the block.
The scene is almost the same in more than 90 flood affected villages in 22 Gram Panchayats of Bari block where the temples are submerged in neck deep water.
Odisha.in