Jagatsinghpur, April 7: Participating in the 14th edition of the Jagatsinghpur Heritage Walks (JHW) on Sunday last, around 25 heritage enthusiasts from across the state participated in a heritage trail, covering three historically significant sites on the outskirts of Jagatsinghpur town including Jain, Buddhist and Hindu traditions.
The event was dedicated to promote awareness of Jagatsinghpur district's rich historical legacy and archaeological wealth, with a particular emphasis on the preservation of ancient monuments, sculptures, art forms, and cultural traditions that define the region's storied past.
The first stop was the Oushuni Pitha in the village of Banamalipur, where participants were privileged to behold a rare twelve-armed Chamunda idol enshrined beneath an ancient banyan tree. This remarkable sculpture stands as a singular testament to the tradition of Shakti cult in classical Odisha, offering scholars and devotees alike a window into the region's deep-rooted spiritual heritage.
The second site visited by the heritage enthusiasts was the ancient Bhagabati Temple in Panasapada village. Participants noted with concern that a centuries-old Durga idol from the temple premises has been missing since it was stolen in 2015 — a loss that continues to grieve the local community.
The walk provided an opportunity for meaningful dialogue with village residents regarding the protection and proper conservation of several neglected sculptures from the Somavamshi period, including idols of Kartikeya and Goddess Parvati that currently lie exposed and unprotected within the temple complex.
The concluding stop was the historically significant Khandeshwar Mahadev Temple in Nasik village — a rare confluence of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain religious traditions under a single sacred roof. The site houses an exceptional collection of antiquities, including Buddhist representations of Chakrasamvara (Bhairava) and Vajrasattva, a Jain idol of Shantinath — the 16th Tirthankara — alongside numerous ancient Hindu deities.
Local resident Chaudhury Barada Prasanna Das offered invaluable insights into the village's Jain heritage, recounting that the area was once home to a thriving Jain community whose presence is now preserved only in stone.
The event was coordinated by Srikanta Singh, convenor of the JHW. Senior members Biswaranajan Dehuri, Bhagaban Das, and Sasanka Sekhar Panda were also present which also felicitated the talented youngsters.
