Jagatsinghpur: The 5th edition of the Jagatsinghpur Heritage Walks (JHW) unfolded as a heartfelt tribute to the district’s deep-rooted cultural and spiritual history. Around 40 heritage lovers from across Odisha and diverse backgrounds gathered to retrace the region’s sacred landmarks, embracing not just the architecture but also the stories, legends, and living memories that define Jagatsinghpur’s soul.
The journey began at the spiritually vibrant Astasambhu Temple in Hajipur, a site believed to house eight Shiva Lingams established by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata era. Participants invoked the blessings of Baba Kadambeswara, Astasambhu, and Maa Chhinnamasta, grounding the walk in reverence. Though the temple has been reconstructed several times due to flood damage and lack of embankments, remnants of the original architecture—stone carvings and fragments—were visible and carefully documented during the visit.
Guided by JHW convenor Srikanta Singh, the walkers then moved to the Panchasakha Dhyana Pitha, believed to have been established by Achyutananda—one of the revered Panchasakha saints—over 600 years ago after his divine vision of Lord Jagannath. Today, the site houses a serene Jagannath Temple and serves as a spiritual retreat reflecting Odisha’s devotional heritage.
The exploration continued to the Gopinath Jew Temple in Parbatipur village, where walkers had “darshan” of the grand idol of Lord Gopinath alongside Ashtasakhi idols. The temple also enshrines deities of Varaha, Narasimha, and Trivikrama. Interestingly, the massive idol of Lord Gopinath appears to sit below ground level—supporting the belief that the temple was built atop ruins of a much older structure. The sanctum must be reached by descending several steps, and due to its location, water continuously gathers at the deity’s feet, especially during the monsoon. The temple priest expressed urgent need for intervention to protect the idol, which is gradually sinking into the moist soil.
In a significant moment during the visit, the first e-magazine of the Jagatsinghpur Heritage Walks was officially launched by senior citizens at the Gopinath Jew Temple premises. The participants also took part in a campus cleaning drive and planted trees, reinforcing the spirit of preservation and environmental consciousness.
Among the prominent participants were Biswaranjan Dehury of Odisha Heritage Walks, heritage enthusiast Chandrabhanu Mishra, Aditya Prasad Ghosh, Prabhudutta Rout, Hrudanananda Behera, and temple priests and residents associated with all three historic sites.
The 5th JHW was not merely a historical walk—it was an emotional act of remembrance and revival. In rediscovering the district’s sacred landmarks, the walkers reaffirmed a powerful truth: heritage is not just what is inherited from the past—it is what we choose to value, protect, and pass on to the generations yet to come.
