The western part of Odisha boasts of an ancient history and a rich culture and heritage. There are many historical sites and temples in the area which speak of a glorious past. Nrusinghanath is one of them. Approximately 35 kilometres from Padampur, 110 kilometres from Bargarh and 164 kilometres from Sambalpur, the shrine of Lord Nrusinghanath is not only a holy place for the Hindus, but it also presents a calm and quiet atmosphere along with beautiful nature all around. The temple dedicated to Lord Nrusinghanath is situated at the foot of the Gandhamardana hill, known for its biodiversity.
Now let’s have a look at the focal points of the temple and shrine of Nrusinghanath.
Temple – The temple is situated in Durgapali near Paikmal at the foot of the Gandhamardana hill. There is a main gate with a boundary around the temple. With a height of 45 feet, the temple has a sanctum sanctorum and a ‘Jagamohana’. In the ‘Garvagriha’ Lord Nrusinghanath gets worshipped as ‘Marjara Keshari’. Built by the king of Patna State, Baijal Dev, the temple is built in the ‘Deula style’ of Kalinga architecture. It is seen that during the fifteenth century AD and afterwards, temples have been built by the Chauhan rulers in Kalingan style in Sambalpur, Sonepur, Bolangir and Bargarh districts. Experts, however, opine that there are local variations of the Kalingan style over here.
Historical backdrop – Before turning out to be a Vaishnava Peetha, the place is believed to have been a Buddhist site. Huen Tsang, the Chinese traveller who stayed in India for long fifteen years, is said to have visited the area. In his accounts he has referred to a place ‘Polo-molo-kili’ which has been confirmed by historians as Parimalagiri covering the Gandhamardana hill with Nrusinghanath and Harishankar on the opposite side. There was a Buddhist University over here and Nagarjuna, the Buddhist scholar, was its chief. It is known that Buddhism had spread in the area covering Padampur, Paikmal, Harishankar and other places; and after its decline, Hinduism dominated the scene.
Mythical backdrop – The idea that whenever sin overpowers, God appears to curb it. A similar myth is prevalent in the area. When Mushika Daitya or the Mouse Demon became powerful and started harassing people, Lord Nrusingha appeared to kill him and save the people from his tyranny and oppression. But the Mouse Demon entered a tunnel at the foot of the Gandhamardana hill and never came out. At the entrance of the tunnel Lord Nrusinghanath guarded the demon as a cat or ‘Marjara’. Since then local people have been worshipping him as ‘Marjara Keshari’. Later King Baijal Dev built a temple over the site.
The place makes a reference to the Treta Yuga. During their exile Ram, Luxman and Sita had visited the Gandhamardana hill and stayed over here for some time. Once Sita had hidden her ring in a place and asked Ram and Luxman to search for it. Luxman failed to do so. But Ram by way of his special eyesight came to know that the ring had become a fish and was swimming. He asked Sita to catch the fish which would turn out to be her ring once she touched it. The place is called ‘Sita Kund’. It is believed that since Sita removed the ring from her body she got separated from Ram in the course of time.
Another incident from Treta Yuga states that when Luxman fell unconscious in the battlefield against Ravana, Hanuman set out on his journey to search for the medicinal plant which could save Luxman’s life before sunrise. It is believed that when Hanuman failed to recognise the plant, he carried the whole Gandhamardana hill and left it in its place after the work was over. According to another theory, the original Gandhamardana hill is in the Himalayas and two pieces, one fell at Srilanka and the other at Nrusinghanath from Hanuman’s hands when he was carrying the hill to restore it to its place and in both the places medicinal plants can be found even today.
The place also has a reference to the Dwapara era when Kunti and the Pandava brothers had come over here to spend some time during their exile. Bhim’s favourite place in the waterfall where he used to bathe is called Bhimdhar. Another place is called Panchupandava.
The holiness of the place is ascertained from another myth. Once Lord Siva, out of anger, slapped a calf whose head stuck to his hand and he could not remove it. At long last, the head of the calf fell at a place of the waterfall and Lord Siva was purged of the sin of cow slaughter or ‘Gohatya’. The place is called Gokund.
Kapil Muni is also believed to have sat in meditation at the place. Such incidents based on myth make it clear that the place goes beyond even the Treta Yuga. Vishnu taking the incarnation of Nrusingha takes the timing of the place to the Satya Yuga. The shrine of Nrusinghanath having seen the four Yugas makes it all the more important for the Hindus as a holy place. The water of the fall flowing by the temple is also considered to be holy and purgative.
Places around – Before entering the temple premises there is a small but beautiful temple dedicated to Devi Bindhyavasini. Bindhyavasini as the very name signifies is a goddess who dwells on a hill. Then the market area starts continuing almost up to the main gate of the temple. There is a huge statue of Veer Hanuman standing on the left side of the path leading up to the temple. There are also statues of Mahatma Gandhi with a stick, Krishna and Arjun sitting on the chariot, Abhimanyu in the Chakravyuha and Bhishma lying on a bed of arrows. The most attractive sight is that of the waterfall flowing by the temple and gradually entering the plains. It has its source high up in the hill five to six kilometres from the temple. From its source till the temple there are different spots such as Kapildhar, Sita Kund, Panchupandava, Gokund, Bhimdhar and Chaldhar each having its significance thereby making the waterfall sacred and purgative of sins.
The Gandhamardana hill with its high rise peaks, greeneries, flora and fauna presents a breathtaking sight. Medicinal and herbal plants in plenty in the hill have all along attracted researchers and medical practitioners.
Communications – Nrusinghanath is not only a centre of pilgrimage but it is also a paradise for tourists and nature lovers. Though October to March is the best time to visit the place yet devotees and tourists can be seen visiting it round the year. Nrusingha Chaturdashi and Makar Sankranti are the main festivals observed over here which draw devotees from far and wide. There is provision for Prasad for visitors near the temple. There are also hotels for food in the market adjacent to the temple, in Paikmal nearby and Padampur which is thirty-five kilometres away. From Sambalpur and Bargarh there is a motorable road up to Nrusinghanath via Sohela and Ghens. From Bolangir, Nuapada and other places also Nrusinghanath can be reached. In addition to it being a sacred place, the calm and quiet atmosphere of Nrusinghanath and enchanting nature around have all the ingredients to attract the visitors.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own)
Mr. Prafulla Kumar Majhi,
Retired Asst. Director, A. I. R, is an eminent Scholar and freelance writer in English & Odia. His areas of interests are sociocultural, economic, literary, historical and analytical studies and writings.
Email: airprafulla61@gmail.com
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