BHUBANESWAR: The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board and Uttarkashi District Administration has decided to revive and maintain a centuries old Jagannath Temple in Sald village, which was lying neglected for years after it was brought to limelight by Odia actors Sabyasachi and Archita.
The couple visited the temple on Bahuda Yatra last week and joined the villagers in resuming prayers in the temple and attracted the attention of the authorities. Located at 4000 ft above sea level amidst picturesque villages has the potential to attract many Jagannath devotees.
"We are really thankful to the efforts of Sabyasachi Mishra, who brought this beautiful and ancient temple to our notice. Though the development of the temple is not our lookout, we would do peripheral development like parking facilities, put up signage and do publicity and marketing to make it a tourist attraction," Uttarkashi Tourism Development Officer Jashpal Chauhan told TOI.
In a remarkable attempt to preserve and promote Jagannath culture, Odia actor Sabyasachi Mishra has successfully contributed to bringing an ancient temple in Uttarakhand into the limelight. The historical temple, which was originally inaugurated by the revered Adi Shankaracharya, had long been overlooked by local villagers, authorities, and pilgrims alike. However, thanks to the actor's tireless efforts, prayers have now resumed in this sacred place, and the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board has assured its support in promoting the temple as a thriving tourist destination.
The temple nestled amidst the serene landscapes at Sald village of Uttarkashi in Barahat Himalayan Forest Range has remained hidden from the people even in the digital era of rapid dispersal of information.
"One of the chief priests of Jagannath Temple in Puri informed me about this temple last year with an aim to bring it to public attention. The beautiful temple has withstood the test of time. Unfortunately, over the years, the temple's significance had faded from public awareness. Due to financial constraints the villagers stopped doing daily rituals of the deities. The Jagannath Idols in the temple are considered as their ancestral deity (Kul Devta) and worshipped in special occasions," said Sabyasachi.
The actor said, "At the site many emblems representing Jagannath culture and folklores of the locals carrying Jagannath beliefs, that surprised us will enthrall and exhilarate Jagannath lovers globally."
Recognizing the temple's cultural and historical significance, Sabyasachi embarked on a personal mission to revive interest in this hidden gem. The actor conducted extensive research and collaborated with local historians and scholars to unearth the temple's captivating history. Through his social media platforms he shared captivating stories and breathtaking visuals, inviting the public to rediscover the spiritual oasis that had been tucked away for far too long.
"The legends of the place and the deities in the temple reinforce the age-old tribal origin of lord Jagannath originally worshipped as a stone idol named Nilamadhaba. The missing links, if recovered can energize our spiritual pursuit and open newer dimensions of historical research and socio-cultural integration," he added.
With prayers resumed in this ancient temple and the collaborative efforts of the actor and the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, the temple is poised to reclaim its rightful place on the cultural map of the state.
"We are thankful to Sabyasachi and Archita for opening our eyes and bringing us closer to our deity. During social functions like birthdays and weddings we visit the temple to get blessings. Now we will perform all daily rituals at the temple," said Premballav Nautiyal, a local priest of Sald village.
