Cuttack, July 30 (UDN): Rising floodwaters of the Mahanadi River have submerged parts of the revered Maa Bhattarika Temple at Badamba in Odisha’s Cuttack district, forcing the temple administration to relocate the deity’s movable idol to a safer location in keeping with long-standing tradition.

The flooding follows a steady rise in the Mahanadi’s water level, triggered by continuous rainfall in the river’s upper catchment areas and the release of excess water from the Hirakud Dam. The swelling river entered the temple premises and inundated the sanctum sanctorum, making it unsafe for regular worship.

To ensure that daily rituals continue without interruption, servitors and temple authorities shifted the idol of Maa Bhattarika to a temporary shrine on nearby Ratnagiri hill. The elevated site has traditionally served as a safe refuge for the deity whenever the temple is threatened by floods.

Officials said the relocation was carried out promptly to safeguard the idol and maintain the temple’s religious practices during the flood situation.

Meanwhile, the local administration has intensified monitoring of the area as the Mahanadi continues to flow at an elevated level. Security has been strengthened around the temple complex, and precautionary measures have been put in place to prevent any untoward incidents.

Authorities have urged devotees and tourists to avoid venturing near the riverbank and to follow official advisories until the flood situation improves.

The Maa Bhattarika Temple, one of Odisha’s prominent Shakti shrines, has witnessed similar flood-related relocations in the past whenever the Mahanadi swells during the monsoon, with the temporary shift ensuring that worship continues uninterrupted despite natural calamities.