The Kendrapada district administration has started infrastructure development work at the scenic Sakhibata which boasts of a 550 year old banyan tree.
Sakhibata which is situated on the banks of river Luna has already been accorded a tourism tag by the Odisha’s state Tourism department.
Sakhibata comes under the Marshaghai block just around 2 KM from Paradip-Daitary Expressway. The site combines a calm ambiance with splendid natural beauty and is also has spiritual significance as it posesses many historical temples.
The serene environment along with more than 600 trunks and sub-trunks of a gigantic banyan tree that spreads across 1.3 acres attracts hundreds of local tourists throughout the year.
From a distance the place looks like a forest full of trees. But in reality, it is a single tree with its majestic branches and trunk.There are three temples in the premises of Sakhibata.
Lord Baladevjew is worshiped at the sanctum sanctorum of the main temple. On the side of main temple, another temple was constructed where the trinity, Lord Baladevjew, Subhadra and Jagannath, are worshipped. In another temple, Lord Radha Krishna is worshiped.
But it was neglected due to the callous attitude and lack of interest shown by the district tourism department and district administration. In order to increase the footfall and promote the place, the district administration has taken the initiative and carried out the infrastructure developmental work including erection of a boundary wall, construction of parking place, cooking room, toilets and approach road to provide better facilities for the tourists.
