The Maa Bhadrakali Temple in Chatra district’s Itkhori block will receive a Rs 1.5 crore canopy shed to protect devotees queuing between the main entrance and the Shiva temple, with Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL) supporting the proposed work.
The covered structure is planned to shield visitors from the sun and rain while they wait for darshan. Chairs will also be installed at several points along the route, with the facilities expected to particularly help elderly devotees, women and children.
The temple draws large crowds during festivals and other special occasions. District board assistant engineer Dhananjay Ojha recently inspected the premises and measured the site for the proposed construction.
“A detailed estimate will now be prepared, after which work will begin once the proposal is approved,” Ojha said, according to the report.
The planned visitor facilities come as the Maa Bhadrakali Nyas Samiti also opened the temple’s jewellery donation box on Saturday after 11 years. The process took place in the presence of trust committee members, local priests and raiyats.
The box contained 1.627 kg of gold ornaments and 62.7 kg of silver ornaments donated by devotees over the years. Nyas Samiti chairperson Y K Singh Chauhan said the district administration had been informed about the recovery.
“Purity of the ornaments will be tested under proper supervision and security arrangements,” Chauhan said. According to the trust committee, the ornaments will be used to beautify the temple. Nearly 1 kg of gold is planned for an ornate canopy for Maa Bhadrakali’s idol in Varanasi, while the silver will be used to decorate the sanctum sanctorum.
The temple is revered by followers of Sanatan, Jainism and Buddhism. The canopy project will move to the construction stage after the detailed estimate is prepared and the proposal receives approval.
