Baripada: Khiching museum in Mayurbhanj district is the oldest museum in the state. It was set up in 1922 by the Mayurbhanj State Archaeology department. The museum offers a rich insight into the history, lifestyle, and culture of the district. However, the tourism department has failed to do much for its development, feel locals.
The museum situated on the premises of Maa Kichakeswari shrine has failed to draw a good number of visitors, even as it is beset with multiple problems – staff shortage and security guards and lack of information plaques.
The museum is under the tourism department, but is being maintained by the state archaeology department.
Functioning of the museum was affected due to lack of adequate staff while only one security guard was engaged to keep a watch on the sprawling premises. Significantly, there is no information plaque near the museum, in order to draw public attention.
Locals say people coming from various parts of the state and outside do not know about the museum, which houses valuable artifacts such as rare stone statues and figurines of Hara, Chanda, Prachanda, Ardhanariswar, Umamaheswar, Budha in meditation, Bishnu, Brahma, Ganesh, Kartikeya, Brahmani, Rudrani, Bishnavi, Barahi, Jain, Nagakanya, Nagapurusa, Gangsa-Yamuna, pots, iron weapons of Birat regime, copperware, and a variety of ancient ornaments.
The museum remains closed most of the time, disappointing the few visitors who come from far-off places.
Tourist visit Kichakeswari temple to marvel at its architecture as reflected in beautiful floral designs and forms etched in black granite stones.
They also ensure to have a glimpse of rare stone statues and other ancient artifacts of ancient Mayurbhanj. The museum also is of much importance for researchers, litterateurs and students of history.
Monument lovers lament that ruins of temples and statues are lying unprotected outside the museum.
However, for lack of maintenance, the artifacts and statues have gathered dust and are lying uncared for. Most of the statues and figurines look untidy due to lack of upkeep, they said.
Mayurbhanj district holds a significant place in the tourism map of Orissa. The district has earned a name at the national and even international level for its scenic Similipal park and tiger project. Maa Kichekeswari shrine at Khiching is one of the important tourism spots, which draws tourists from far and near in large numbers.
The temple built with black granite stands towering up to 100 ft. Its main temple is believed to have been built between 920 AD and 926 AD when the capital city flourished. But its decay started after the capital city was shifted elsewhere.
There were seven temples including Kichakeswari adorning the place. But due to natural disasters, many of the temples crumbled and gradually disappeared. Some remains are still found lying scattered in the forests.
In 1934, Mayurbhanj King Pratap Chandra Bhanjadeo got the scattered fragments of the temple together and started reconstruction of Kichakeswari temple. Its work was completed in 1942. About 60 per cent of the stones used in the temple were ancient.
Ruins of royal palace, natryashala, Boudh temple and gateway of a Jain temple, and a number of Shiva lingas are found at the place.
Tourists also visit legendary places like Biratgarh and Kichakgarh, as described in the Mahabharat.
They also visit the museum to see the ancient artifacts, statues, stone figurines.
Apart from Kichakeswari temple, Khiching has two other ancient Shiba temples. It is said that Khiching was the capital of Mayurbhanj princely state. Goddess Kichakeswari was the presiding deity for the whole of Mayurbhanj. PNN
