Nandapur, 29th Aug 2025: While villagers are busy preparing for Ganesh Puja in local community halls, the historic Ganesh temple at Nandapur block headquarters is lying in a neglected condition. According to locals, though the temple is considered a victory symbol of the Puri Gajapati King’s Kanchi expedition, neither the Endowment Department nor the administration has taken proper care of it.
The temple road is in a dilapidated state, and not even basic renovation or painting has been carried out. With the upcoming Ganesh Puja, a huge number of devotees are expected to visit, but the poor condition of the temple has left people disappointed.
A Temple with Historical Significance
Locals from Nandapur, Maliguda, Sariaput, and Kaudikhall villages, as well as visiting tourists, allege that the administration has completely ignored the temple. Historical records state that during his return from the Kanchi expedition, the Puri Gajapati King stayed at Nandapur. As a token of victory, he brought along a Ganesh idol from Kanchi and got a replica carved by royal sculptors, which was installed at Nandapur. The original idol was placed at the entrance of the Puri Jagannath temple.
The Ganesh idol at Nandapur is a monolithic stone sculpture, about eight feet high, installed in the northeast corner of the town. Devotees hold strong faith in this temple and its deity.
Demand for Preservation and Development
Residents have demanded that Nandapur Panchayat, the block administration, the Koraput district authorities, and the state government take immediate steps for the temple’s preservation and development. They urged for the construction of an all-weather approach road and the renovation of the temple to restore its heritage status.
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