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While Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed consecration rituals at the historic Ram temple in Ayodhya, another significant Ram temple was inaugurated in Fategarh, Nayagarh, Odisha, over 1,000 km away. The 73-foot-tall shrine dedicated to Lord Ram stands atop a hill around 1,800 feet above sea level.
Initiated in 2017, the construction of the temple was a collaborative effort, with villagers and devotees across the state generously contributing funds. The residents of Fategarh reportedly provided half of the funds required for the temple’s completion. More than 150 dedicated workers toiled over seven years to build the temple.
The hill temple, standing at a height of 165 feet, is expected to become a potential tourist attraction. The project was spearheaded by the Shri Ram Seva Parishad committee, formed by villagers to commemorate the historic connection of Fategarh to the 1912 ‘Nabakalebar’ event, where the village provided a sacred tree for the recreation of wooden icons.
Constructed in the traditional Odia architectural style, the shrine’s sanctum sanctorum soars to an impressive height of 65 feet. The site holds a rich history, with locals recalling that prayers were offered at the spot during times of drought, known as Giri Govardhan. Surrounding the main temple are four additional sanctuaries dedicated to the Sun God, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Hanuman.
