Seraikela: Dome at ancient Baba Budheshwar Mahadev Shiv Mandir to be installed

Mail News Service

Saraikela, May 24: The over 400 year old Baba Budheshwar Mahadev Shiv Mandir at Kudarsai is all set to get a face lift. Renovation work has been initiated at the Mandir and a dome is to come up within two months. The estimated cost is Rs 25 lakh.

This ancient temple has remained the edifice of faith for devotees through generations. Kudarsai villagers vouch that devotees offering prayers with purity of heart to Baba Mahadev at this temple have never been disappointed. There are many other events of celestial happenings that ensconce the history of Baba Budheshwar Mahadev Shiv Mandir through four centuries and more. The legacy of devotees has continued to grow through the centuries as has the faith factor. Generations of priests and followers of Lord Shiv have never given up the tradition of Sandhya Aarti that continues to attract devotees from far and near and to partake of the consecrated offerings every evening. No hail, nor storm, nor rain, nor climatic disturbances have ever been able to deter devotees from offering prayers, including the attractive Sandhya Aarti every evening that has spelled an aura of devotional glory through 400 years’ history of Baba Budheshwar Mahadev Shiv Mandir at Kudarsai, barely 2 kilometers from Saraikela city. The Shiv Lingam has remained theat edifice of faith through generations of 400 years, a time lag that has seen development patterns, social norms, religious beliefs and cultural modifications undergoing changes. But the tradition of trust, belief and obeisance to Baba Shiv has remained unwavering, unaltered and unadulterated.

The Kudarsai Shiv Bhakt Mandali has ensured the renovation work of the temple. This group of Shiv devotees has been collecting donations from people and is on the way to put together the estimated amount of Rs 25 lakh for installation of a dome at the roof of the temple. The renovation work is already in progress while the dome will come up within two months. The devotees will donate 11 bricks per individual and are putting in physical and financial contributions as a tribute to unwavering Divine Faith.

Pouring through the history of Saraikela’s princely state, one will come across the concept of princely state taking its initial steps. It was during this period that the first ruler, Kunwar Budha Vikram Singhdev arrived in Saraikela and set up the Saraikela princely state in 1610. It was around this time that Kunwar Budha Vikram Singhdev planned to set up his palace at Kudarsai region but prior to that, he installed the Baba Budheshwar Shiv Lingam. Later his palace came up in the temple campus.

Years and centuries later, in 1927, River Kharkai was in spate and the flood waters completely destroyed the palace leaving no trace of it whatsoever. But the Baba Budheshwar Mahadev Shiv Lingam remained, unwavering, unmoved, unscathed. Later, the palace was constructed at Saraikela. And together with it, the Singhdevs built the Baba Budheshwar Shiv Mandir that has since housed the Shiv Lingam.

But devotees wanted a dome on top of the Mandir. Funds required were huge. With time, things gradually changed for the better and soon, with the resolve of Kudarsai Shiv Bhakt Mandali, the much desired dome will become a reality within a couple of months. The construction work has begun. Kudarsai villagers have a new spring in their step. They are excited. Amidst all the excitement, the Sandhya Aarti continues as do the prayers and the decoration of Baba in the evening. The fruition of devotees’ expectation of a dome atop the temple is about to materialize. The oil lamps during Sandhya Aarti seem to have a brighter glow.