Dhenkanal Heritage Walks Marks Second Anniversary with Stirring Tribute to Odisha’s Glorious Past

Dhenkanal: “History is never dead—it is the mirror that reflects our future.” This powerful message resonated throughout the Old Zilla Parishad Auditorium in Kunjakanta as the second anniversary of Dhenkanal Heritage Walks (DHW) was celebrated with insightful talks, spirited discussions, and a deep reverence for Odisha’s cultural legacy.

The highlight of the evening was a compelling presentation by Prof. Sanjay Acharya, renowned authority on Kalingan temple architecture and grandson of legendary archaeologist Padma Shri Paramananda Acharya. Through his lucid storytelling and profound knowledge, Prof. Acharya traced the evolution of Odisha’s temple architecture, emphasizing how successive dynasties refined and elevated the Kalingan style into a globally admired art form—one that even influenced regions across Southeast Asia.

Drawing vivid imagery, Prof. Acharya remarked, “The architects of Kalingan temples built like titans, but finished like jewellers,” highlighting the grandeur and intricate detailing that define Odisha’s sacred monuments. He elaborated on how temple styles such as Rekha, Pidha, and Khakhara emerged from the linear Nagara style, forming a distinct architectural identity for the region.

Presiding over the anniversary event were Dipak Samantarai, convener of Cuttack Heritage Walks, Aparna Dhir Narendra Singh Bharadwaj, Maharani of Gadamadhupur Palace, and Sanjay Baral, convener of Puri Heritage Walks. Each speaker brought their unique perspective on the importance of heritage preservation.

In her emotive address, Aparna Bharadwaj lamented the growing indifference towards history, warning that development without sensitivity to heritage is leading to “the murder of our past.” She emphasized the need for thoughtful restoration that respects both the form and spirit of historical structures.

Dipak Samantarai, a poet and veteran broadcaster, underscored the importance of integrating heritage education into school and university curriculums. “Heritage awareness must begin early,” he said, adding that pride in one’s history fosters stronger cultural identity among the youth.

Echoing this sentiment, Sanjay Baral advocated for deeper exploration of iconic sites like Konark’s Sun Temple. Quoting art historian Dr. Charles Fabri, he noted, “Had Konark been discovered before the Taj Mahal, the world’s fascination would have taken a different turn.”

The event was coordinated by Suresh Mishra, convener of DHW, who also led the felicitation of key contributors and supporters of the heritage movement. Among those honored were Sadasiv Mohapatra, Ratan Nayar, Sishir Satapathy, Jeetendra Kumar Pattanaik, Aditya Prasad Ghosh, Bibhuti Bhusan Barik, and Dr. Suresh Mishra himself.

Biswaranjan Dehury of Odisha Heritage Walks, Srikant Singh from Jagatsinghpur Heritage Walks, and over 50 History students from Dhenkanal Autonomous College attended the event.