woman died fasting for a child in temple

photo credit : Bhimsen pradhan

All rituals of famous Jhadeswar temple of Deogarh was come to a total halt on Monday after a lady died inside the temple that was on a fast (adhia) seeking the divine to become a mother. The lady was on fast over the last 15 days. The temple committee informed the police and closed the temple for devotee in view of the unfortunate incident. She wished to have a child with the divine blessing. “In the morning when I opened the temple I found her motionless. I informed the temple committee and police about the incident” the priest of the temple Sambaru Mahapatra said.

The lady identified as Lili Biswal (30) was married to Ranjan Biswal of Mendipali under Deogarh district 8 years back. But she was issueless despite her regular medical check up and treatment. Finally she took the decision of practice the fasting inside the temple to make her desire fruitful with the blessing of lord Shiva.  “It is a regular practice here in the temple. Devotees get their desire fruitful in the temple”, Mahapatra said.

According to him, the temple that was built in 18^th century under the patronage of local king is a famous temple of the region where devotees across Orissa and Chhattisgarh visit regularly to have the blessing of lord Shiva.  

On the other hand, devotees coming to pay Darsan were disappointed because of the unfortunate incident happened on Monday. However the temple was reopened for devotees only in the evening after Mahasnana and homa of lord Shiva. “We conducted series of pujas after mahasnana of lord Shiva. Temple was opened only after completion of Homa”, a member of the managing committee of the temple said.   Meanwhile police handed over the body of the lady to her family after conducting autopsy. Police registered one unnatural case in this regard.