• About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News
  • Epaper
  • Odisha
  • Twin City
  • National
  • World
  • Sports
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
No Result
View All Result
  • Epaper
  • Odisha
  • Twin City
  • National
  • World
  • Sports
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
No Result
View All Result
Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News
No Result
View All Result

Home » Heritage Enthusiasts Visit Ajaikapada Bhairava & Trilochaneswar Temples in Jagatsinghpur

Heritage Enthusiasts Visit Ajaikapada Bhairava & Trilochaneswar Temples in Jagatsinghpur

Itishree Sethy by Itishree Sethy
March 3, 2025
in Culture
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
0
Ajaikapada Bhairava & Trilochaneswar Temples
0
SHARES
62
VIEWS

A group of 30 heritage enthusiasts embarked on an insightful exploration of Odisha’s rich architectural and spiritual heritage, visiting the Trilochaneswar Temple at Kundeswar and the Ajaikapada Bhairava Temple at Sathalapura as part of the second Jagatsinghpur Heritage Walks (JHW) yesterday.

Trilochaneswar Temple:

A testament to Odisha’s architectural grandeur, believed to have been built even before the iconic Lingaraj Temple, the Trilochaneswar Temple stands as a historical and spiritual landmark in Kundeswar. The ancient settlement, once a conglomeration of 12 puras (villages), formed a Nagara (town) known as Kundinagar (Kundinagra). Lord Trilochaneswar Deva is revered as the presiding deity of this historic region, while Maa Harachandi is worshipped as the Nagar Devi (protector goddess).

Dating back to the 8th Century, the temple was constructed by the Keshari dynasty King Biswanbara in the Rekha Deula architectural style. The Jagamohana (assembly hall) was later added between the 10th and 11th centuries, following the Pidha Deula style of Kalingan architecture.

The temple complex houses three smaller shrines in its eastern corner, a Rosaghara (temple kitchen), and a small museum featuring 8th-century idols, as confirmed by inscriptions on the sculptures. Though the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) undertook renovations in 1972, the visitors were disappointed to find no signboards or markers guiding people to this historically significant site.

Under the guidance of Chief Priest Subash Padhi, the heritage enthusiasts explored the temple premises before proceeding to Maa Harachandi Temple. Based on iconographic evidence, the deity appears closely associated with the Chamunda form of the Goddess. The group was warmly welcomed by temple priests and villagers, who graciously offered water and Prasad inside the temple premises.

Rukuna Ghat & Sacred Alaka:

The next stop was Rukuna Ghat, located on the banks of the Alaka River, a tributary of the Mahanadi. The river is deeply rooted in Purana-based lore, particularly in the legends of Lord Krishna and Devi Rukmini. However, the visitors expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of this once-holy water body, lamenting its present state.

Ancient Cooling Tech:

The group then walked to the Siddheswar Temple, where they were welcomed by temple priests. They learned about the temple’s origins and were particularly intrigued by the ancient cooling techniques used for maintaining the ‘mahadeep’ (sacred oil lamp).

At the nearby Saptamatruka Temple, the enthusiasts were informed about the 2019 theft of two precious idols from the premises during Mahasangam celebrations near Rukmini Ghat. Unfortunately, there has been no progress in recovering the stolen artifacts.

Ajaikapada Bhairava Temple:

The final destination was the Ajaikapada Bhairava Temple, dedicated to Ekapada Bhairava, located in Sathalapura village.

Archaeological findings confirm that the temple was originally constructed in the early 10th Century by the Somavamsi Keshari Kings of Odisha. Over the centuries, it suffered destruction due to floods and invasions by non-Hindu rulers. The current Pidha Deula structure was rebuilt in the 20th century, preserving the original ‘garbhagriha’ (sanctum sanctorum), which houses a Bhairava idol and a Shiva linga.

The Ajaikapada Bhairava idol is depicted with one foot and four hands, two of which are broken, while the upper two hold disc-like structures. Notably, Ajaikapada Bhairava is the ruling deity of the star Pūrva Bhādrapadā, indicating that the temple was established by an individual well-versed in Tantra and astrology.

Located 6 km from Alanahat, Sathalapada, in Jagatsinghpur, this temple is one of only two Ekapada Bhairava temples in Odisha, the other being in Jajpur district. It is officially listed as a monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Prominent attendees and organizers of this heritage walk were graced by notable figures from Odisha’s heritage community, including Suresh Prasad Mishra – convenor, Dhenkanal Heritage Walks
Ajay Singh – representative, Cuttack Heritage Walks, Biswaranjan Dehury – convenor, Puri Heritage Walks and Tarinisen Pattanaik, founder of Aitihya Curated Walks.

The walk was successfully organized and led by a dynamic young team comprising Srikanta Singh (convenor, JHW), Trilochan, Prabhudutta, Niladri, Sambit, and Asish Padhi.

This initiative reflects the growing enthusiasm for Odisha’s cultural heritage and the need for better conservation efforts to preserve these ancient treasures for future generations.

Tags: Ajaikapada Bhairava TempleHeritage EnthusiastsJagatsinghpurTrilochaneswar Temple
Previous Post

Tattoo of Lord Jagannath on Foreign Woman’s Thigh Sparks Outrage in Odisha

Next Post

PM Modi Highlights Rising Wildlife Populations in India

Itishree Sethy

Itishree Sethy

Related Posts

Sital Sasthi Festival
Culture

Odisha CM Announces Rs 50 Lakh Grant for Sital Sasthi Festival

May 29, 2025
Sabitri Brata
Culture

Odisha Women Observe Sabitri Brata with Devotion, Know More

May 26, 2025
Savitri Amavasya Holiday Date
Culture

Odisha Govt Reschedules Savitri Amavasya Holiday to May 26

May 23, 2025
Next Post
Wildlife Populations in India

PM Modi Highlights Rising Wildlife Populations in India

IIMC

IIMC to Host 56th Convocation Ceremony on March 4

Sonakshi Sinha

Sonakshi Sinha To Make Telugu Debut in Supernatural Fantasy Thriller ‘Jatadhara’!

Follow Us

Recommended

Pm modi

PM Modi arrives in Mauritius for two-day visit

3 months ago
Coastal States Fisheries Meet 2025

Coastal States Fisheries Meet 2025 Ushers in New Era of Digitalisation and Aquaculture Insurance

1 month ago
IFS Officers reshuffle

Odisha Govt Announces Major Transfers and Postings of IFS Officers

2 months ago
ISIS Pune Sleeper Module Arrest

Pahalgam Terror Attack: NIA Questions Survivors from Cuttack

1 month ago

Instagram

    Please install/update and activate JNews Instagram plugin.

Highlights

Odisha Faces Dry Week Ahead as Monsoon Takes a Break!

Teesta River Tragedy: Landslides in Sikkim’s Mangan Halts Search For Missing Odisha and WB Tourists

Big Plans for IIMC Dhenkanal: Union I&B Secretary Assures Full Support for Growth!

Crime Ring Busted in Berhampur: 7 Hardcore Criminals Held, Firearms & Cash Seized

Woman Arrested for Burning Disabled Man Over Property Greed in Odisha’s Berhampur

Principal Secy Usha Padhee Reviews Urban and Transport Projects in Keonjhar

Trending

Odisha revenue collection
Business

Odisha Targets ₹95,000 Crore in Revenue from Mining and Commercial Taxes in 2025

by Yajati Rout
June 1, 2025
0

The Odisha government is intensifying its focus on revenue collection for the current fiscal year, prioritising the...

First COVID-19 Death Odisha 2025

Odisha’s Bhubaneswar Reports First COVID-19 Death of 2025!

May 31, 2025
Water Tariff Hike Odisha 2025

Odisha Hikes Water Tariff by 10% for Industries and Businesses in 2025-26

May 31, 2025
Odisha weather update

Odisha Faces Dry Week Ahead as Monsoon Takes a Break!

May 31, 2025
Teesta River Tragedy

Teesta River Tragedy: Landslides in Sikkim’s Mangan Halts Search For Missing Odisha and WB Tourists

May 31, 2025
Facebook Twitter Youtube RSS

ABOUT US

News, as it should be covered, has been the forte of Pragativadi over the years. And this has ensured a classy readership encompassing the who’s who of the state. The people who matter in Odisha, depend on Pragativadi. For opinion leaders, decision makers and people with surplus disposable income Pragativadi is a must.

Follow us on social media:

Blog

The Chinese smartphone upstarts taking on Apple and Samsung

by pragativadinewsservice
January 11, 2025
0

Presidential Train Now Available For Jakartans Traveling To Bandung

by pragativadinewsservice
January 10, 2025
0

News Calendar

June 2025
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« May    

© 2025 Pragativadi

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Epaper
  • Odisha
  • Twin City
  • Sports
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • National
  • World
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel

© 2025 Pragativadi