21st Dhenkanal Heritage Walk Explores Ancient Temples and World War II Airstrip

Dhenkanal: The 21st edition of the Dhenkanal Heritage Walks (DHW) witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 80 heritage lovers across Odisha. The event began at the historic Balaram Temple in Dhenkanal, where Suresh Prasad Mishra, DHW Convener, shared insights about the 16th-century shrine. The temple is renowned for its unique stone statue of Lord Balaram alongside Sri Krishna, Rukmini, and Subhadra.

In the second phase, participants gathered at the Kapileswar Temple, nestled in the scenic valley of the Ramiala River in Kamakhyanagar subdivision. Veteran historian Prafulla Kumar Panigrahi, aged 83, recounted folklore and historical anecdotes associated with the temple. Constructed by the Deo family of Jagannath Prasad in the Kalinga architectural style (Rekha Deula), the temple’s simplicity and antiquity stood out. Unfortunately, the temple has suffered theft and vandalism over the years, with most deities either broken or stolen. As with many Shiva temples, the origin of Kapileswar Temple is tied to a tale involving a cow offering milk to a Lingam.

Birasala Airstrip: A WWII Relic
The heritage walkers then visited the Birasala airstrip, also known as the Dhenkanal airstrip. A relic of World War II, the site still features bunkers from the era. Dr. Malay Ranjan Pati, a founding member of DHW, welcomed the group and narrated the airstrip’s historical significance and its current usage.

Once a hub of activity, the airstrip hosted the landings of notable leaders, including former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, as well as political stalwarts like Biju Patnaik and Sanjay Gandhi. After years of neglect, the airstrip gained renewed attention in 2019 when the Indian Air Force’s West Bengal unit expressed interest in its use. The Union Civil Aviation Ministry’s Flight Training Institute also surveyed the site. Today, it serves as a pilot training center operated by the Flight Training Institute owned by GATI. Notably, Captain Rajkishor Mishra, a native of Birasal, played a pivotal role in its revival, advocating for its utilization under the guidance of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik.

The day concluded at Sanskar School in Rahani, where the walkers interacted with 600 students, fostering awareness about heritage conservation. The participants were impressed by the school’s adherence to the traditional “gurukula parampara” system of education.

The event brought together heritage enthusiasts from Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Kendrapada, Dhenkanal College, and Mathakaragola College. Notable attendees included Bikas Roy Choudhury, Kailash Sahoo from Bhubaneswar, and Biswaranjan Dehury, the convener of the Jagatsinghpur Heritage Walks.

The 21st Dhenkanal Heritage Walk proved to be a journey through time, blending history, architecture, and culture, leaving participants inspired to preserve Odisha’s rich legacy.