In a significant move, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has demolished the controversial Baikunthadham Ashram located in the Khandagiri area of Bhubaneswar.
The demolition took place on Friday following a court order, which came after allegations surfaced that a boy was being worshipped as the Kalki avatar of Lord Vishnu.
The ashram, which had been constructed on government land, was razed to the ground in the presence of senior officials from the BDA, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), and Tata Power.
To ensure a smooth operation and prevent any untoward incidents, Tata Power disconnected the electrical supply to the premises, rendering the ashram non-operational.
The controversy surrounding the ashram began when photos of a minor boy being worshipped as Lord Vishnu’s Kalki avatar went viral on social media.
The Odisha Samajsebi Mahasangha complained to the police, alleging that the ashram’s head, Kashinath Mishra, was claiming his son to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Following extensive discussions and a court directive, the BDA issued an ultimatum to vacate the premises by noon on January 17. The evacuation activities commenced the previous night, with furniture and other items being relocated to an alternative location.
