1. Shri Sidheswar Mahadev, a public trust, was managed by a hereditary trust board, as per provisions of the Odisha Hindu Religious Endowment (OHRE) Act (Index no 1564-CCM).

2. The main temple is located at Sidheswar Sahi, {on southern side of the Kanika Chak (Square) to Shelter Chak (square) Income Tax office road}, Police Station- Lalbagh, Post office – Tulsipur (Cuttack-8), Cuttack City, Cuttack District, Odisha, PIN 753008.

3. The daily seba puja (neiti) of the deity, covering bathing the deity before sunrise, morning puja, cooking and serving Anna Prasad, and Sandhya arti in the evening was done by the Sebayats as per the traditional customs. This was performed by individual member of the trust board on rotational basis for the number of days assigned to each in a month namely (i) Shri Sanjay Kumar panda for eight days in a month (1/4th share), (ii) Shri Pravat Panda and Shri Sarat Kumar Panda for eight days in a month (1/4th share), (iii) Shri Prafulla Kumar Panda and Shri Brajedra Kumar Panda for six days in a month (3/16th share), (iv) Shri Govinda Panda son of late Surendra Kumar Panda for two days in a month (1/16th share), and Smt Nirupama Mahapatra for eight days in a month (1/4th share).

4. Special puja and Yagnya (sacred fire) on the Sankranti and Bhedha parikrama on the Shiba Chaturdashi were performed as per the Hindu calendar every month.

5. Shib Bibaha, marriage of Lord Shiba and Goddess Parbti was observed on the Sital Shashti on the 24th May 2023, as per traditional rites with active participation of the sevayats. The deities were taken out in procession by the devotees with lots of enthusiasm,

6. Shri Shisir Kumar Ratha, Hon’ble Commissioner of Endowment had visited the temple premises on the 6th June 23 afternoon and had discussion with the members of the hereditary trust board namely Shri Sanjay Kumar Panda HMT, Shri Prafulla Kumar Panda, Shri Pravat Panda and Shri Sarat Kumar Panda. Renovation of the pond on the southern side of the temple and early disposal of the cases relating to the land of the deity institution came up for discussion among other things. Hon’ble Commissioner expressed his satisfaction over smooth management of the institution and assured necessary help. On the 16th January 2024, Shri Sanjay Kumar Panda HMT met Shri Lalatendu Jena, Hon’ble Commissioner (who took over on the 1st January 2024) in his office, expressed greetings and sought his kind cooperation.

7. The donation box was opened on the 24.09.23 in presence of the trustees and a sum of Rs 11,865/- was found which was deposited in the bank account of the trust on the 25th September 2024.

8. Hon’ble Commissioner was requested to sanction grant for Sital Shashti and for nieti, however, no grant was sanctioned during the year 2023-24. Shri Sanjay Kumar Panda, HMT had drawn the kind attention of the Hon’ble Commissioner, (Shri Lalatendu Jena) to the limitation of resources of the institution and sought his intervention for sanctioning grant.

9. Special puja of mother goddess, Maa Sidheswari along with Chandipath were performed during Navaratri in the month of Ashwin. Ornamental decorations of Maa Sidheswari as Maha Laxmi, Maha Saraswati, Maa Durga, and Maa Viswaroopi along with religious discourse were performed seeking the divine blessings of Mother Goddess.

10. Month long Special puja covering Mangal Aarati before sunrise, offering Aakash Deep (earthen lamp on a high mast) in the evening and decoration with Diyas (lights) during Dewali were observed in the sacred month of Kartik.

11. Special bhedha prakrama and offering in the Naga baba samadhi were offered on the Makar Sankranti day (15th January 2024).

12. Maha Sivaratri (Jagar Yatra) was observed on the 08th March 2024 (Friday) as per the traditional rites and customs, starting with puja before sunrise, special puja in the morning, putting on new flags (Dhwaja dharan), Hari Hara bhet, sandhya puja (in the evening) and offering the Maha Deep in the night were performed by the sevayats with support of the devotees keeping in view the Covid-19 prevention related guidelines.

13. The water body (pond), located on the southern side of the temple, was given on lease to the highest bidder by public auction for pisciculture for the water year (July 23 – June 24).

14. On the recommendations of Hon’ble Commissioner of Endowments, Rs30,000 was sanctioned vide no 2629 dated 26.02.24 (at sl no 59 of the annexure at page4) by the Law Department, Government of Odisha.

15. One of the old litigations vide no OJC 2130 of 1999 was dismissed after trial by Hon’ble Odisha High court on 14.03.24.

16. Construction of the kitchen on south-western side of the temple (part of the new Sital Shasthi Bhawan) was completed with fixing of iron grill and whitewashing during the year with donation from the Managing trustee and his family members. This construction has been of great help to the devotees for organising prasad for prayer meetings and other functions held in the temple premises. Besides, repair, maintenance, painting, whitewashing of the temple and premises was done as per requirements.

17. On festive occasions, Prasad (cooked and uncooked food) was distributed among the poor and needy, free of cost. Besides, financial assistance was provided to the poor and needy.

18. Various issues relating to the management of the institution were discussed in the meetings of the Trust board held on 28.04.23, 18.08.23, 22.12.2023, 31.01.24 and 10.03.24. Active cooperation of all members was sought for running the institution smoothly. Interest from the amount kept in Fixed Deposit was the main source of revenue for the institution, which was supplemented by donation from some family members of trustees and local public.

19. Notwithstanding limitation of financial resources, the management was done as per the traditional rites and seva puja of the deity as per the customs; along with repair/maintenance, legal and charitable activities giving specific attention to cleanliness drive and welfare of the devotees for benefit of the poor and the needy in a smooth and orderly manner.