Nayagarh: A 500-year-old ancient temple has resurfaced in the Mahanadi river in Odisha's Nayagarh district.
It is believed that the temple belongs to Lord Gopinath a form of Vishnu/ Radha Krishna which dates back to late 15th or 16th century. The 60-feet submerged temple was known as 'Satpatna' and was situated in Padmavati village of Bhapur block of Nayagarh district.
Satpatna was a mixture of seven villages which included Padmavati. With the river changing its course due to flooding in 19 th century,its flow changed and the entire was village was submerged in the water.
Later on, the villagers shifted to other places with the deities of all the temples.
The locals said that around 22 temples in the area underwater but only 'mastaka' of Gopinath temple was visible for few years as it was the tallest.
Reportedly, the temple was visible 11 years back.
Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTAC) project co-ordinator Anil Dhir: "A document is being prepared on the extinction history within 5 km of both sides from the origin of the river and the confluence of the river with the sea. The 'Documentation of the Heritage of the Great River' project has been launched."
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