Jagatsinghpur Heritage Walk Explores Untold Stories of Local Shrines and Saints on Ram Navami

Jagatsinghpur: The third edition of the Jagatsinghpur Heritage Walks (JHW) was successfully held on the auspicious occasion of Shri Ram Navami, drawing around 30 heritage enthusiasts from within and outside the district.

The walk began at the historic Bila Sarala Temple in Tirtol block, where participants offered prayers to Goddess Astabhuja Mahishamardini, affectionately known as “Bila Sarala.” Gaurahari Panda, an 85-year-old retired local teacher, shared rare insights into the temple’s historical and cultural legacy. According to local legend, Sarala Das—revered as the first poet of Odia literature—received divine blessings from the goddess while ploughing his field and reciting the traditional poetic form “Chautisha.” The temple is also believed to have gained prominence after the idol of the goddess was relocated here following the destruction of the Jhankad Sarala Temple during the Muslim invasions.

The heritage walk continued to the Shishu Ananta Ashram in Arilo, where participants received blessings from Baba Balia. The group then visited the Murari Das Matha, Naga Matha, and Sudarshan Matha. These sites are closely associated with Saint Murari Das of the Bauri caste, who was known for his spiritual influence during the Mughal era and attracted Naga Sadhus who later settled in the area.

Participants also explored the historic Kalapahad Ghat along the Paika river. Researcher Srikant Singh explained the significance of the site, recounting how in 1568 AD, Kalapahad—after defeating Maharaja Sri Mukunda Dev, the last independent Gajapati ruler of Odisha—crossed the Paika river at this very ghat en route to attack the Ramachandi Temple in present-day Kendrapara.

Notable attendees included Biswaranjan Dehury, founding member of the Dhenkanal Heritage Walks; heritage enthusiast Prabhanshu Samantaray; and Manoj Mahapatra, publisher of Granth Mandir. All three encouraged young participants to continue documenting and preserving such lesser-known heritage sites.

The walk was coordinated by Prabhudatta Dash, Sambit Singh, Trilochan Swain, Prabhudatta Raut, Amar Patra, and other young heritage lovers, who are committed to rediscovering and promoting the unexplored cultural wealth of Jagatsinghpur district.