After Sarathi and Abhiram, another Baba has come to the fore in Odisha. like his more illustrious fellow-travellers, the man who is known as Kalki Baba has encroached more than 30 acres of Government land worth crores around his ashram near Konark.
The bel leaf, tulsi and lotus-clad Baba named Brahmachari Shibashri Haribrahma Banambara alias Kalki Baba has built his ashram over 30 acres of forest and Gochar (village grass land meant for cattle grazing) land.
His massive ashram, which is located at Guhalpur by the side of the Konark-Kakatpur road, is seven km from Konark. The campus features a Shiva temple, a large parking for the Baba’s cars and many buildings and rest shades for visitors.
Apart from encroaching land, he has also allegedly indulged in wood smuggling, locals say.
Such is the clout of the Baba that hundreds of devotees from Puri and nearby areas line up to seek his blessing every day. Things go bit extreme during the Shravan month when the Kanwarias line up to pour water on him like they do on the Shiva ling.
“The Baba has encroached 22 acres of jungle land and constructed a temple and other buildings on it. I have submitted my report to the Puri DFO in this regard,” said the Konark Wildlife Range Officer.
The DFO also reportedly promised further investigation and action against the Baba.
The situation remains tense in the area after the Baba’s land encroachment came to the fore, and the Government has deployed force to avoid any untoward incident.