The entrance to the Dharakote monastery and priests perform a puja on its premises. Telegraph pictures

Berhampur, June 10: An ancient monastery, the Dharakote Mutt, built by the erstwhile royals of the Dharakote Gada in Ganjam district, is in dilapidated condition and needs urgent repairs.

Known for a flame burning inside the compound continuously for the last 226 years, the monument, situated 53km from Berhampur, is a memoir in the district’s history.

The royal heirs have kept the flame burning since 1788. It was installed in memory of queen Pattarani Chandrama Devi and her husband king Krushna Singh as a mark of respect to the family.

Krupasindhu Das, the mahanta or main priest of the monastery is now managing daily rituals and looking after the memorial flame. Spread over nine acres covered with mango, jackfruit, coconut, phasi and teak trees, the monastery has a temple for worship of Lord Ramachandra and Goddess Sita. The mutt also has 12 acres of agricultural lands in nearby Narendrapur, Kirtipur and Sahaspur in Ganjam. Special events are also held here as the residents of the nearby villages gather on the occasion of Dussehra, Janmastami, Dol purnima and Ganesh puja.

The place was the cremation ground of the members of the royal family since 1477. At present, there are 20 tombs of the royal family members situated in the monastery and many are in dilapidated conditions. The roof of the monastery has developed several cracks and leaks.

“The monastery is the abadhuta gadi of our royal family. We respect our family traditions and the flame is still burning here,” said Nandini Devi of the royal family, who also contested the Assembly election as a BJD candidate from Sanakhemundi seat.

Mahant Krupasindhu has interesting anecdotes to share about the site. “Once upon a time, king Rajendra Singh was returning to the palace after hunting and was forced to take immediate rest because of intermittent rain and poor visibility. He saw a ray of light sparkling from a place covered with various varieties of trees. When he proceeded further, he discovered the light was emanated from a hut where there were no drops of rain and one saint was meditating there. When Rajendra Singh asked the reason for the saint to be there, he pointed his finger to the memorial flame. Singh was impressed by this and arranged building and lands for the mutt immediately,” he said.

Villagers feel that without proper help from the State Archaeology or the Archaeological Survey of India, the repairs cannot be made. “We appeal to the archaeologists to visit the site and see for themselves how it can be preserved,” said Krupasindhu.