Jagatsinghpur: The 21st installment of the Jagatsinghpur Heritage Walks (JHW) led participants to the historic Jhankeswar Mahadev Temple located in Birittola village within the Tirtol block, providing a chance to delve into the shrine’s profound archaeological, historical, and spiritual importance.
Often compared in antiquity to the renowned Sarala Temple at Jhankad, the Jhankeswar Mahadev shrine, also referred to as Jhankadeswar Mahadev, is situated in the historically rich Jhankad Kshetra. Although the current temple structure is relatively modern, it houses numerous ancient artifacts, including a beautiful idol of Uma-Maheshwara and representations of various attendant deities such as Ajaikapada Bhairava, Mahishamardini Durga, Astika-Jaratkaru, Ganesha, Kartikeya, and Parvati.
Ranjan Kumar Panda, the chief priest of the Sarala Temple, served as the main speaker at the event, offering valuable insights regarding Maa Sarala, the principal deity of Jhankad, Adi Kavi Sarala Das, Nanda Deula, the Vruddha Nadi, and the Jhankeswar Mahadev Temple. He has compiled stories and information on these topics in his publication, Sri Chandi Sarala Madala. The temple is thought to have its roots in the 9th-10th centuries AD, showcasing the Shaivite architectural and religious practices supported by dynasties such as the Somavamsis.
The name Jhankeswara or Jhankadeswar is believed to be derived from the historical designation of the surrounding area, Jhankad. After experiencing desecration, the shrine was reportedly in a state of neglect for an extended period before being restored and rebuilt in the early 19th century thanks to the initiatives of local rulers and devotees. The religious narrative of Jhankad reflects the harmonious existence of Shaivism and Shaktism, with the worship of Lord Shiva intricately linked to the region’s significant Shakti Peetha of Maa Sarala.
Traditionally, visiting the Jhankeswar Mahadev shrine is a part of the spiritual journey for pilgrims who come to the Sarala Temple. Local traditions further connect the spiritual legacy of Jhankad, which includes the Jhankeswar shrine, to the 15th-century saint-poet Sarala Das, originally known as Sidheshwar Parida. He is highly regarded for his composition of the Odia Mahabharata and is thought to have been blessed by the deities of Jhankad.
The heritage walk attracted 25 participants and was led by JHW convener Srikant Singh. The event underscored the importance of preserving and documenting the historical and cultural heritage of the area. Biswaranjan Dehury, convener of Odisha Heritage Walks, the organization overseeing district-level heritage walks, announced that Jajpur Heritage Walks would commence its monthly events during the first week of December.
