In a narrow escape that has locals attributing divine intervention, a massive rockfall from the Byaghra Devi Hill in Kulada, under Bhanjanagar block of Odisha’s Ganjam district, has partially damaged two ancient temples at the foothill.
The incident occurred early this morning when enormous boulders dislodged from the upper reaches of the sacred Byaghra Devi Hill, tumbling down with force.
The rocks struck the Shani Temple and the Hanuman Temple below, causing minor structural damage to both shrines. Fortunately, devotees fled the scene just in time after hearing the ominous rumble amid heavy rains.
Eyewitnesses described the event as a thunderous cascade, amplified by the ongoing downpour, which masked the initial slide until the final crash.
News of the rockfall reached Bhanjanagar Tehsildar Abhispa Pattnayak promptly, who issued immediate directives to Kulada Revenue Inspector (RI) Bhagaban Behera to rush to the site for a thorough assessment.
