In a landmark step towards ensuring public safety at religious gatherings, the Sri Sri Nrusinghnath Temple Trust has secured an insurance cover worth ₹5.4 crore for the upcoming Baisakha Mela, making it the first-ever such initiative for the temple.
The six-day festival, which honors the birth anniversary of Lord Nrusingha, will take place from May 7 to 12 at the historic Nrusinghnath Temple near Paikmal. Known to attract over a lakh pilgrims from Odisha and neighboring states like Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, the event now comes with a financial safety net.
The insurance, provided by United India Insurance Company, was finalized after detailed negotiations led by local lawyer Hiramani Bhoi. The policy, activated on April 29, covers every individual on the temple premises during the mela. In the event of accidental death, each devotee is insured for ₹7.5 lakh, irrespective of age or gender.
The trust paid a premium of ₹1,57,648 for the coverage, aiming to provide both spiritual and physical security during the festival. Arrangements for clean drinking water, medical facilities, and tight police presence are also in place to ensure a safe experience for visitors.
A key ritual during the mela is the holy dip at Gokunda Ghat, believed by many—especially from Chhattisgarh—to have divine healing powers.
This progressive move aligns with practices at other major temples across India. For instance, Puri’s Jagannath Temple insures the Rath Yatra, while Sabarimala and Attukal Bhagavathy temples also insure major festivals.
