Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s rich heritage is renowned across the world, yet many places have remained unexplored by its citizens. Kalinga Diaries has taken up the initiative to promote the lesser known places of Odisha and conducted their maiden – and fifth overall – tour to Daya river Valley from Jatani last Sunday.
The tour started from Jayadeba Vihar at 6:30 AM and the first stop was the picturesque temple of Somnatha with its exquisite Kalingan architecture at Budhapada, 15 Kms from Bhubaneswar. The shrine, popularly known as Chudakhia Somnatha temple is a beauty of timelessness. “The adjacent pond, with trees and natural scenery are just wonderful”, said Mr. Sambit Nayak, a software professional.
Next on the trail was Gopinatha temple, a rare monument of Vaishnava cult, in rustic Kakudia village. The temple is said to be built by Ganga rulers. “The carvings on the temple are so beautiful. I am surprised how at that time the craftsmen built such things,” said Mr. Nadir Pasha, a native of South Africa, who is on a visit to India.
The visitors then moved to Paschima Sambhu temple, located near the Melana ground at Harirajpur. The stories and folklores associated with the temple and the local people’s faith in it remain as strong as ever. The temple is also associated with Chudakhia Somnatha as, according to local legends, both are said to be brothers.
The group then visited quiet and tiny Rathipur village where Saakhi Gopinatha temple is situated. Undergoing renovation, its architecture is quite unique, but is still one of the lesser known monuments in the entire area. Tourists also enjoyed plucking mangoes from the roadside trees there and also visited a scenic lotus pond nearby.
The last stop was at Panchagaan village, where they visited the 18th century Lord Jagannath temple. The carvings inside the temple are very beautiful especially the ones on the vimanas of the Lord. The compound also boasts of a rare statue of Goddess Asta Durga as Mahisasurmadini, though in a dilapidated condition. A short distance ahead is a temple dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras along with a rock-cut tank.
The tourists comprised a mix of 14 heritage enthusiasts from South Africa and West Bengal besides a few from Bhubaneswar.
