Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida has announced a major initiative aimed at enhancing facilities for women devotees visiting the revered Maa Tarini temple in Ghatagaon, Keonjhar district.
In a move to promote inclusive and safe pilgrimage experiences, the state government will establish a breastfeeding center at the shrine premises.
Speaking to media, Parida emphasized the government’s commitment to the holistic development of the Maa Tarini shrine, stating that the temple now attracts large numbers of female devotees, much like the famed Jagannath Temple in Puri. The breastfeeding center will allow mothers to nurse their infants comfortably and securely during their visit.
କେନ୍ଦୁଝର ଜିଲ୍ଲାର ଘଟଗାଁ ସ୍ଥିତ ମା’ ତାରିଣୀଙ୍କ ପୀଠର ସର୍ବାଙ୍ଗୀନ ଉନ୍ନତି ପାଇଁ ଆମ ସରକାର ବଦ୍ଧ ପରିକର । ଏବେ ପୁରୀର ଶ୍ରୀମନ୍ଦିର ପରି ମା’ ତାରିଣୀଙ୍କ ପୀଠକୁ ବହୁ ସଂଖ୍ୟାରେ ଦର୍ଶନ ପାଇଁ ଆସୁଥିବା ମା’ମାନଙ୍କ ସୁବିଧା ପାଇଁ ‘ବ୍ରେଷ୍ଟ୍ ଫିଡିଂ ସେଣ୍ଟର’ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା ଆରମ୍ଭ କରାଯିବ। ଏଠାରେ ମା’ମାନେ ସୁବିଧାରେ ଏବଂ ସୁରକ୍ଷିତ… pic.twitter.com/TaRXogAqcB
— Pravati Parida (@PravatiPOdisha) September 12, 2025
This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve infrastructure and accessibility at religious sites across Odisha, especially for women and children. The center will offer a private, hygienic space for lactating mothers, aligning with national health goals and maternal care standards.
The announcement has been widely welcomed by local communities and health advocates, who see it as a progressive step toward making religious tourism more family friendly.
