CULTURAL
HERITAGE OF NAYAGARH
HISTORICAL
BACK-GROUND:
The district of Nayagarh consists of the four Garajat States of
Ex-States Ranpur, Nayagarh, Khandapara and Daspalla.
The Raj family of Ex-Ranpur state is considered to be the most
ancient family in Odisha. It
has annals in Sanskrit as well as in Oriya, entitled Kapilsamhita(1). The
Family reigning over the state claim, their descent from one Benu Maharaj
of Ayodhya(2). Nayagarh is an
equally ancient State. Politically
it belongs to Tosala, alongwith Ranpur, Khandapara, Daspalla, tigiria and
Athagarh(3). Religiously it
belongs to the Chhamunda Mandala(4).
The founder of the Nayagarh royal family was one Suryamani Singh
from Rewa in the Central Provinces (5).
He founded the kingdom in 1255(6).
The royal family of Nayagarh was divided in (1565)A.D. and Jadunath
Mangaraja the younger son of the King raghunath Singh founded the
Khandapara State(7). Dasapalla is equally an ancient State.
PEOPLE AND THEIR RELIGION:
The aboniginal
‘Savaras’ and Kandhas are the indigenous people of Nayagarh District.
The Aryans came latter. The
Brahmins are mostly the outsiders invited by the Khayatriya rulers to be
engaged as priests in the temples and for other holy rites. Besides, there
are people of Semitic and Islamic faiths.
Thus, the culture of Nayagarh, is a composite culture of
heterogenous faiths. Most of
the pantheons, of Kandha and Savara and systematically
Hinduised and admitted into Hindu religious fold.
ARCHEOLOGICAL
REMAINS:
COPPER PLATES:
In 2003, seven copper plates were discovered while excavating an old well in the village Dhanchengada in Bhapur Block of Khandapara Assembly Constituency. They date back to early 9th and 10th Century A.D. Superintendent, Archaeological Survey of India, Odisha, examined the plated on 07.06.2005. One big copper plate weighing 4.5 kg. Has inscriptions in Nagani Script and a sseal which reads ‘Sri Shantikar Devasya’ of Bhauma dynasty. Three other copper plates jointly in the form of a ring weightin 1.6 kg. Have seal of a lion figure and two lines in Nagani Script. The rest three also in the form a ring weight 1.1 kg and have inscriptions in ‘Nagani’ Script. The copper plates are preserved in the District Treasury of Nayagarh Collectorate(8).
INSCRIPTIONS:
The Somanth Temple complex at Govindpur near Nayagarh have to stone inscriptions. The righten side entrance door of Kaunri Thakurani and the front entrace door (inner side) of Beleswar Mahadev, have two inscriptions which are yet to be deciphered. Previous attempts have arraived at misleading conclusions. Another inscription is found on the foot-post of Goddess Sita in the Raghunath temple at Odagaon, that reads. “Shakabda Saramangalya rutusya Odanayak”.
TEMPLES
AND HOLY SHRINES:
BUDDHIST & JAINS SHRINES:
Anala Patta, about 20 Kms from Khandapara is an important Buddhist Shrine. Here are found four idols, believed to be one of them Buddhist and two of Jain Pantheons. It is popurly known as Budhakhola, some call it Jogi, Jogiani. It is as important as the Budhakhola at Buguda in Gajam District.
VISHNAVA SHRINES:-
NILAMADHAB
AT KANTILO:
At Kantilo, about 12 Kms from Khandapara, there stands the temples of god Nilamadhaba on a hill close to the bed of the River Mahanadi. It is the ancient most Vaishnaivite Shrine in Odisha, predating the Shrine of Lord Jagannath at Puri. The ilol of Lord Nilamadhaba, though appears recent, still originally is very old. It is roughtly hewn body, looks not very much human. It signifies its Savarian origina. The nearby Sabarapalli attests the Savarian back-ground of Nilamadhaba.
RAGHUNATH TEMPLES:
Raghunath of Ramachandra are seen of two types: Banavasi and Abisheki. Banavasi Rama, Laxmana and Sita are seen in woodland altire with bow and arrow. Whereas Abhisheki Rama, Laxmana and Sita are seen in royal altires with swords. Rama and Laxmana are with beards. In Nayagarh, Raghunath with Wife Sita and brother Laxmana seen in Abhiseki altire. The important Raghunath Temples in the house of Raghunath Bebarta (Nayagarh, Old twon), at Mausima temple (Nayagarh) at Dhenkena and at Odagaon. The Raghunath temple at Dhekena is important since Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja received Rama Thakura Mantra here.
JAGANNATH
TEMPLE:
Jagannath temple at Nayagarh, was erected by Binayak Singh Madhata in between 1788 and 1808 A.D. It is unfinished, the architect of this temple was the father of the poet Jadumani. Jagannath temple at Laxmi Prasad was erected by Jadunath Mangaraja, a king of Khandapara. It was reconstructed in 1972 by one Sri Nilakantha Sahu. Jagannath temple at Khandapara was erected by the king of Khandapara. The temple is in poncharatha rekhas style, while the Jagamohana and natamandapa are in pidhi style. The idol of Jagannath called Dadhibabana was brought from the temple at Tikiripada and installed here. The idols from this temple were installed there. Jagannath temple at Tikarapada was constructed with the stones of the tomb of Gosanga Daitya, a demon ruling in this area in the past. The first temple was constructed in 1850. It was due to the *** flood of the Mahanadi in that year. The Jagannath temple at Ranpur was erected by King Udhaba Singh in 1324-1363 A.D. The Jagannath temple at Daspalla is also an old one and Rajapratisthita. Jagannath temple at Sikharpur (Saranakul) is a unique one where breaqd (Roti) is offered to the Lord, his queen built the Mukhashala.
OTHER VAISHNAVITE SHRINE:-
The Vaishnavite Deities are Radhanath Jew, Radhamohan Jew Gopinath Jew, Lachha vana Balaji at Nayagarh; Raghunath Jew and Madan Mohan Jew at Badapandusar; Rasa Bihari at Baunsipada; Mahavir temple, Brajabihari temple and Madan Mohan temple at Dasapalla. Besides, there are so many Vaishnava shrine in the District.
SHAIVA
TEMPLES:
Prominent aong the Shaiva Shrines in Nayagarh District are the twelve Swayambua Siva; Ugrasvara at Badapandusar, Dhabaleswar at Lachhipur, Phulesvara at Bahadajholla, Singhesvara at Jadupur, Madhukesvara at Rabera, Somanath Dev at Gondapur, Maktesvara at Gotisahi, Dutikesvara at Jamupatna, Gatisvara at Malisahi, Ardha Sambhu at Panchagada Dibyasinghpur. Besides, there are so many Shaiva temles scattered all over the District. Prominent among them are Swapnesvara Dev, Ramesvara Dev, Biswanath Dev, Mahimameru Dev, Trutia Dev Narayan Dev at Nayagarh, Ramesvara at Khuntupad, Nilakanthesvara at Olasa, Balunkesvara temple at Tikiripada, Khandia deulta at Padmavati. The temple of Swapneswar Dev of Ranpur was built by Chandra Sekhar Narendra, the king of Ranpur.
Imporat Siva temple of Ranpur are Harihar Sur Dev (Ranpur), Budha
Linga Dev (Gopalpur), Nilakanthesvara Dev (Gopalpur), Mahavir Dev (Gopalpur),
Kamalesvara Dev (Sindhuria), Nilakantheswar Dev (Lekhanpur), Bholesvara
Dev (Narasinghpur), Chandesvar Dev (Ranpur), Balunkesvara Dev (Ranpur),
Danda Balunkesvara Dev (Ranpur) and Belesvaa Dev (Pataberani).
SHAKTA
SHRINES:
Among Shakta Shrines and temple are important Maninagesvari at Buguda Colony, Daspalla, Sandha Devta at Tankara, Daspalla; Durga Devi at Dasapalla (the tutelary Daity of Daspalla King), Kaunri Thakurani,m Durga Devi, Khambesvari Thakurani, Kathi Thakurani, Dakhinakali and Bauri Thakurani at Nayagarh, Kaunri Thakurania temple at Vondpur, Narayan at Malisahi, Narayani at Kantilo, Narayani at Badapandusar (Inside the Kandabinda tank), Budhidei Thakurani at Olasa, Jhadesvari at Saranakul and Mani Nageswari at Ranpur. The temple of Maninageswari was built by King Udhaba Singh of Ranpur. Besides, there are som any Shakta Shrines in Nayagarh District. It is to mention here that Bauri Thakurani at Nayagarh and Khandapara, Budhi Thakurani at Olasa, Kaunri Thakurani at Govindapur, Mani Nageswari at Ranpur used to accept human sacrifice in the past.
Other Shakta Deities of Nayagarh District enshrined in Ranpur are Dakhina Chandi (Sindurai), Tara Devi (Champagada), Narayani (near Ranapur) and Brahmani Devi (Krushnapur).
CHURCHES AND MOSQUES:-
There ais only
one Church at Nayagarh. But,
there are many mosques at Daspalla, Nuagaon, Sinduria(two), Khandapara,
Ranpur, Itamati and Machhipada.
FORTS AND BUILDINGS:
So man forts
were erected by the kings of the Ex-State of Nayagarh.
The forts were at Badapandusar, Itamati, Lathipada, Asuradhipa,
Nayagarh, Bhatasahi, Ralaba, Kurala, Haripur and Sunamuhin.
Only the fort at Nayagarh is in existence.
Fort of Khandapara, Daspalla and Ranpur are in existence.
But, the old fort of Daspalla known as Kunjaban Gada and the old
fort of Daspalla known as Kunjaban Gada and the old Fort of Ranpur at the
foot of Mani Nagesvar mountain are not in existence.
As remnants are existing one big tank at Kunjabana Gada near
Daspalla and one old wel in the site of old Ranpur Fort.
One old tank at Pathara Chakada near Kantilo where stands the
temple of goddess Narayani is in existence.
It is said that one Savara Chief was ruling there and there was his
Fort. This tank was his Jagnya Kaunda.
Even today, no cattle also drink water from that tank even in hot
summer. Among the buildings
with archaeological importance are, the building of the Collectorate, the
Circuit House and the two royal buildings in Upper Nayagarh known as New
Palace and Queen’s Palace.
FOLK DANCE AND FOLK CULTURE:-
The important disciplines of fold dance are Ghantakalasa (Similisahi, Nayagarh), Danda Nrutya (Itamati), Dhena Koila (Similisahi), Khanjani (Balugaon), Singi Baza (Saspalla, Dhumpa (Khandapara), Ghuduki (Rana pur), Dholamahuri *(Lathipada), Paika Akhada (Lathipada, Olasa), Adiasi-Nrtya (Banigochha), Janu-Ghanta.
STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM:-
Nayagarh District with its ex-States of Nayagarh, Khandapara, Daspalla and Ranpur had a major role played in the freedom struggle of India. Kasti Dakua, a Kandha leader of Nayagarh succfombed to Police firing at Nuagaon. Raghunath Mohanty and Dibakar Parida of Ranpur were hanged in charges of murder General Bagelgate. Arjun Rout of Ranpur, also succumbed to Police firing in the wake of Civil Disobedience Movement.
LIBRARY MOVEMENT:-
Important Libraries of the District are Dasarathi Patnaik Libarary at Udayapur, K.C.Library (Nayagarh), Gopabandhu Pathagar (Ranpur), Suchana Lokasambarak Library, District Library, Nayagarh. Besides, there are a number of non-Government libraries in the District. Dasarathi Patnaik popularly known as Dasia Aja created legend in pioneering library movement in the state. His library & Museaum is a store house of knowledge for everybody.
ECO-TOURISM AND WILD-LIFE POTENTITALITIES:-
The District of Nayagarh has many Tourist spots. Important among them except prominent religious places are Badamul (Crocodile breeding farm), Satakosia Gurge, Tarabalo (hot sprint), Asur Khol, Kuanria Dam reservoir. The entire Nayagarh is a hilly patch of land. It is fall of tigers, bicons, elephants, ignana, bear, royal stags, deers etc. All these jungle inhabitants are there no more except some boars, stags and deers. A small number of stags and deers are zooed at Kuanria Sancturary.
TRADE
CENTRES OF NAYAGARH DURING:
BRITISH
TIME:
“Kantilo on the bank of river Mahanadi is a popular place. It contains a large bazaar and carried on a considerable trade in cotton, sugar, various clothes and grain”(9). “Nayagarh has always been a recruiting centre for industrial labour in Burma and elsewhere with the result that always during the past ten years it has probably gained slightly on the balance migration, it has not done so to the some extent as most of the other states in this group(10).
EMINENT
PERSONALITIES:
There are a number of eminent personalities in the fields literature, astronomy politics and other achievements. Prominent among them are Samanta Chandra Sekhara, Ashu Kavi Jadumani, Sadananda Kavisurya Brahma, Pdt.Binayak Mishra, Kavi Durgamadhab Mishra, Sangrahaka Dasarathi Pattnaik, Sugar-Cane farmer Raghunath Mahapatra etc. It is to mention here that Raghunath Mahapatra has invented a Pit-digging machine out of simple commonsence called SUGARTIKA and ;which is first of this type in the world. Nayagarh District is yet to recognize this eminent personality. Other eminent personalities are Sri Govinda Chandra Sur Deo and Raghunath Das. Govind Chandra Sur Deo was a dramatist as well as an artist of unfathomable talent.
ART,ARTIFACT,SCULPTURE
AND HANDICRAFTS:
Kantilo is famous for brass works. It is to mention here that, Millennium Talent Cup, the first of this kind in the world has the distincting of becoming the world’s tallest cup, was made by the Kansaries of Kantilo for the Odisha Institute of Educational Research, Bhubaneswar with the characteristics: height 76” Weight 18.8 Kg. Metal-brass, colour-golden yello, year of 2000. Kantilo is also famous for horn workds. Odagaon is favous for stone sculpture. It may be noted here that all most all the temple architects of Odisha are hailed from Odagaon. Govind Chara Sur Deo of Nayagarh was a eminent mural painter. All the mural and wall paintings in the temple of Lord Jagannath at Nayagarh are his works. Khandapara is famous for Jute handicrafts. Situlia communities of Gania are eminent sculptors of Terracotta.
LOCAL FESTIVAL:
Ravanapodi at Daspalla, festival of Dakhinakali at Nayagarh, Pana Sanakranti, Shivaratri of Ladukesvar at Saranakul, Kantilo mela, Sriram Navamai at Odagaon, Car Festival at Nayagarh, Khandapara, Daspalla and Ranpur. It is to mention here the Chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra & Subhadra of Ranpur are 2nd in height next to the Chariots of Puri Car Festival.
With all these archaeological and cultural riches, the District Of Nayagarh has figures prominent in the history of Odisha. All these need adequate attention for their development precervation & world wide presentation.
Source: Biswanath Mallick, O.A.S.
