The dilapidated structure of ‘Kanchani Dhaba’ – a roadside inn near Chilika Lake of Rajhans area of Puri – stands testimony to official neglect
Brahmagiri: Orissa is home to hundreds of historic sites which represent the state’s unique culture and heritage before the world. However, with the passage of time, some of the sites bearing the testimony of ancient culture of Orissa are on the verge extinction, thanks to lack of efforts to preserve them.
The dilapidated structure of ‘Kanchani Dhaba’ – a roadside inn near Chilika Lake of Rajhans area of Puri – stands testimony to official neglect insofar as preservation of heritage sites is concerned. Unlike other historic sites, it has not been in the limelight and has remained ignored.
According to heritage expert Surendra Kumar Mishra, “The ‘Kanchani Dhaba’ is believed to have been built during the Ganga Dynasty. Fourteen sheds were built on the coastline to facilitate rest and journey of pilgrims from Ganjam district. Of these, eight were built between Palur and Narasinghapatna. However, only one of these exists at Narasinghapatna, while the remnants of another were found from under the sand of the beach five years ago.”
About 70 per cent of the ‘Kanchani Dhaba’ has been buried under the beach area and many trees have taken roots on the abandoned structure, said Mishra, adding it has become a dwelling place for wild animals.
“There are similarities in construction of the rest shed at Narasinghapatna and the one at Rajhans. Pilgrims from southern part of the country were using the Kanchani Dhaba from 1150 AD to 1650 AD,” said Mishra.
The 60 ft by 60 ft shed, which had 60 domes with 12 ft width each, had a well. Though the well was situated closer to Chilika Lake and the Bay of Bengal, it produced potable water.
The rest shed lost its significance due to development of a road between Ganjam and Puri after 1650 AD. It is learnt that the Kanchani Dhaba had played a vital role in postal services during the British era.
“The state government should make earnest efforts to include a plan to preserve and restore the Kanchani Dhaba in Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (Hruday) scheme of the Centre,” said Mishra, adding this would help give Rajhans a tourist destination tag.
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