On the auspicious occasion of Shri Ram Navami, the third edition of Jagatsinghpur Heritage Walks (JHW) was successfully held in which around 30 heritage enthusiasts from within and outside the district participated.
The walk began at the Bila Sarala Temple under Tirtol block, where the heritage lovers gathered and worshiped the presiding deity Goddess Astabhuja Mahishamardini, popularly known as “Bila Sarala”.
Gaurahari Panda, a retired 85-year-old local teacher narrated the historical and cultural insights about the temple. According to legend, Sarala Das, born into “Shudra class”, had a divine blessing of the goddess. It is believed that while ploughing his field and singing the “Chautisha” (a traditional poetic form in Odia), to ease his labour,the goddess appeared before him. This incident marked the beginning of the worship of the goddess at this site. It is also said that after the destruction of the Jhankad Sarala Temple during the Muslim invasions, the idol of the goddess was relocated and has since been worshiped at this site.
After visiting “Bila Sarala”, the group visited the Shishu Ananta Ashram in Arilo, where they received blessings from Baba Balia and then explored the Murari Das Matha and Naga Matha and Sudarshan Matha. Historical accounts suggest that during the Mughal era, Saint Murari Das, born in the “Bauri caste”, was known for his spiritual greatness, drawing Naga Sadhus who came to see him and eventually settled in that area.
Following this, all participants visited the Kalapahad Ghat on the banks of the Paika river. According to researcher Srikant Singh, in 1568 AD, Kalapahad defeated the last independent Gajapati ruler of Odisha, Maharaja Sri Mukunda Dev, at Gohiritikira and went on to destroy many Hindu temples in regions like Jajpur, Cuttack, Pipili, and the Prachi Valley. It is believed that while en route to destroy the Ramachandi Temple at present-day Jambu in Kendrapara, Kalapahad and his Afghan army crossed the river on this ghat. Notable participants included Biswaranjan Dehury, founding member of the “Dhenkanal Heritage Walks”, heritage enthusiast Prabhanshu Samantaray, and Manoj Mahapatra, publisher of Granth Mandir, who encouraged the young participants to carry on the heritage walks along with documentation of such places. The walk was coordinated by Prabhudatta Dash, Sambit Singh, Trilochan Swain, Prabhudatta Raut, Amar Patra, and many other young heritage enthusiasts, who actively took part to explore the less explored heritage places of Jagatsinghpur district.