Life of an explorer never ends. They continue to explore the new sites, with new monuments, with interesting inscriptions. Presenting a beautiful photo blog by Gitanjali Mohanty…
Seeing our enthusiasm at the Saptamatrika temple at Jajpur, the locals and elders gave us a tip-off. “Go along the river (Baitarani) and you’ll come to another almost-forgotten Shiv temple. Go there, you will like it”. Now that was all we needed. Off we went on the narrow narrow path along the river.
No sign of any temple. We kept on asking the villagers. Not much help. They kept pointing to newer temples. Finally we reached almost a dead-end. On one side the river bed and on the other, a small nondescript village. It was already noon time and it was scorching hot. We see a man coming home with his cows. We ask him “do you know where can we find the Siddheshwara temple?” He gives us a glance and nonchalantly replies” across the river bed and starts walking off” We ask “how to reach there”. He casually replies “ Walk across the hot sand river bed if you can and you’ll find the temple”
After a lil discussion, we decide to trudge on the hot sands.. The hot sands give way to a lovely cool and shaded Banyan-tree grove. Still no temple .. Does it even exist? We are starting to tire off… Just a few feet more and we are finally able to see it. Placed on a low-lying spot just adjacent to the Baitarani, it is one of the most atmospheric temple ever! People welcome to the ancient shrine of Siddheshwara Mahadev, Jajpur. The main temple has obviously been renovated later, yet we find remnants of its glorious past all over!
Not much is known about the temple. The locals were not of much help and I could hardly find anything on the net! It is difficult to date the inception of the shrine as recorded history of Jajpur offers no clue about it. Thought to date back to the 5th century CE, Jaipur then was the capital of the Bhauma dynasty. The making of the Lord Siddhesware linga and the inscriptions on the temple wall and on the nearby ruins evince the popular belief that the holy shrine was built by Shri Subhakar Dev II of Bhauma dynasty. The adjacent village Hirapur is also believed to have been named after Hira Devi, the queen of Sri Subhakaar Dev II. Historian Dr. Ekadashi Padhi opine that it was Shri Narasingha Dev who renovated the temple and restored it from ruins.
It is a treasure house of Hindu temple Iconography. One of the major highlights for me was the “Stambha” at the entrance which appeared very unique to me.. Adorned with beautiful “Naga-kanyas”, it bears invaluable inscription in proto-Odia script. With 2 Sahasralingas, an Astika-Jaratkaru with snake goddess Manasa Devi, an Ekpada Bhairav, this place just does something to you!
Siddheshwara Mahadev Temple, Jajpur. Siddheswara TempleA stupa in front of templeA stone pillar in front of templeNaga-Kanya along with the inscriptionSahasralingaLord BishnuLord GaneshaAstika-Jaratkaru with snake goddess Manasa DeviSun GodAn iconic panel with Shiba in Nataraja pose and Nakulisha
Naga
Standing Sun GodEkapada BhairabaRiver Baitarani
All images along with the write up belongs to Gitanjali Mohanty.
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