Jajpur: Chhatia Bata in Jajpur district is considered as the second Srikshetra. The rituals and traditions at Jagannath shrine in Puri are also followed in Chhatia Bata.

The main attraction of the temple is the grand old banyan tree, which is popularly known as bata, on its premises. That's why this shrine is called as Chhatia Bata. The Jagannath temple here is associated with Kalki, which is the 10th avatar of Lord Vishnu.

The shrine is the samadhi pitha or memorial of the 15th century saint Hadi Das, who in his Malika had predicted the arrival of the Trinity to Chhaita after the sea engulfed Puri.

Another Vaishnava saint Achyutananda Das, too, had predicted that the deities would abandon their abode in Puri and come to Chhatia.

Malika expert Bibhuti Bhusan Pal says: "At the rate global warming is rising, the glacier will melt. The water level in the sea will rise. It will not be surprising that water will reach the steps of the temple (Baishi Pahachha) in Puri." The saints have warned that during that time Lord Jagannath and his siblings will leave his Puri shrine and move to Chhatia.

Throughout the year, construction and repair works are on at Chhatia Bata. The work goes on in anticipation of the Lord's eventual arrival. "It gives credence to the belief that Lord Jagannath and his siblings will finally arrive here. Therefore, preparations go on 24X7. The work stops when the deities arrive," he said.