Jagatsinghpur: The 11th edition of Jagatsinghpur Heritage Walks (JHW) witnessed more than 30 heritage enthusiasts from across the state exploring the history, architecture and cultural significance of several lesser-known heritage sites located in Nugaon block of the district.
The walk not only highlighted Odisha’s rich tradition of temple architecture but also brought attention to centuries-old shrines lying on the banks of the Devi River in the shadow of the iconic Maa Sarala Temple.
The walk commenced early Sunday at Kuttamchandi Temple under the guidance of Srikanta Singh, convener of JHW in Devidol village under Naugaon block.
Believed to have been built in the 16th or 17th Century after Gajapati rule, the temple is built with a stone-made ‘Peedha’ style Vimana Jagamohan, and a rectangular flat-roofed Naata Mandapa, also in ‘Peedha’ style. About 15km from Jagatsinghpur town towards Naugaon, Devidol village is located on the banks of the Devi River, where the Shakti shrine of Maa Kuttamchandi is located.
Eight-handed “Mahishasuramardini Durga”, believed to be from the 8th Century as per the idol’s iconography, is the presiding deity of the temple. The present temple of the goddess is made of a rock with a height of about 25 ft. Many ancient statues can be seen inside and outside the temple.
A small statue of Mother Bimala can also be seen near the goddess’s statue. Basant Kumar Padhi, a retired teacher and a sevayat, explained the folklore and legends about the goddess to all the heritage enthusiasts.
However, the only stone scripture which could have given insights about the temple inscription lies under plaster and an artificial coat. The group also visited the nearby Tumbeswar Mahadev Temple, Ishaneswar Temple, and Nrushinga Temple located on the banks of the Devi River.
At Ishaneswar Temple, the group saw magnifi cent 12th Century Kartikeswar idol lying neglected. Rivers have played a major role in temple construction in Odisha, insofar as Brahmani, Mahanadi and Baitarani are concerned. Similarly, the Devi River has its own temple trail in dire need of being documented.
Through this edition, JHW continues its mission to document and popularise the region’s hidden architectural treasures, fostering greater community pride and boosting heritage tourism beyond Sarala Temple.
Organisers expressed hope that these unexplored gems will soon find their rightful place on Jagatsinghpur map as well as Odisha’s tourism map.
Prominent among those who attended the walk are: Utkal Mohanty, Debi Prasad Padhi, Heritage Walks enthusiast Biswaranjan Dehury and photographer Hrudananda Behera.
