SOCIETY

A bell in Orissa to drive away the God of Death

     Dhenkanal (Orissa): A bell weighing 1.2 tons is awaiting its installation at the Mahima Gadi Temple in Joranda village in Orissa's Dhenkanal District to keep the God of Death away. Devotees believe that the chiming of the bell will drive away Yamraj, the God of Death. The bell is made of "Ashtadhatu", an alloy of eight metals that includes silver, gunmetal, brass and copper. "The bell is made of an alloy of eight metals and is worth around 11 lakhs. It weighs around 1.4 tonnes now and after getting finishing touches it will weigh around 1.2 tonnes. It is believed that Yamaraj cannot come near the temple until this bell rings," said Nitya Nand Das, a priest. Jitendra Sahoo of Balahati along with 27 other artisans took more then one month to make the bell. "I have to face lot of difficulties to make this bell. We took one and a half months and more then ten lakh rupees to make this bell," said Jitendra Kumar Sahu, an artisan. This 10 feet wide and four feet three inches tall bell will be installed during the Hindu Magh Poornima festival in January. The bell is currently a major attraction for all devotees. India's biggest bell is installed at the famous Golu Devta Temple at Almora in Uttaranchal.
-Dec 26, 2006

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