Woman on fast dies in Orissa temple

A woman on Monday was found dead in Jhadeswar temple of Deogarh, Orissa. She was on a fast (adhia) for  last 15 days seeking the divine to become a mother. Daily rituals in the temple came to a total halt due to the unfortunate incident. The temple committee informed the police and closed the temple for devotee. “In the morning when I opened the temple I found her motionless. I informed the temple committee and police about the incident.” said a priest of the temple Sambaru Mahapatra said. 

On the other hand, devotees coming to pay Darsan were disappointed because of the unfortunate incident causing disturbances in the normal rituals.  The temple was reopened for devotees only in the evening after Mahasnana Andhoma of lord Shiva. “We conducted series of pujas after mahasnana of lord Shiva. Temple was opened only after completion of Homa,” a member of the managing committee of the temple said. Meanwhile police handed over the dead body to her family after conducting autopsy. Police registered one unnatural case in this regard.

The lady identified as Lili Biswal (30) was married to Ranjan Biswal of Mendipali under Deogarh district eight years ago. But she was issueless despite her regular medical check up and treatment. Finally she took the decision to fast inside the temple to make her desire fruitful with the blessing of lord Shiva.  “It is a regular practice here in the temple. Devotees get their desires fruitful in the temple,” Mahapatra said.

According to him, the temple that is located 4 km away from Deogarh town was built in 18th century under the patronage of local king and  is quite famous in the region where devotees across Orissa and Chhattisgarh visit regularly to have the blessing of lord Shiva.