Puri Heritage Walks Enthusiasts Explore Tales Around Lokanath Shrine

Puri: Participating In the 19th edition of the Puri Heritage Walks (PHW) on Sunday last, the heritage enthusiasts explored the Lokanath Marg. Starting from the Bargi Mahavir Temple located at Chhapan Chhak, they discussed the history of the area.

Heritage researcher Ashoka Manjari Nayak explained the origin of the name Bargi Mahavir. The Bargis or Marathas used to enter and launch their attacks through the Lokanath Ghat route. Therefore, Hanuman, the deity worshiped by the Bargis, was installed on that path. As a result, when the Bargis arrived there and had the “darshan” of Hanuman, they refrained from attacking. Following this, the deity was known as Bargi Hanuman.

The next stop was the Dukhishyam Chhata Matha. From a historical perspective, this monastery is believed to be contemporary with the Sri Jagannath Temple. According to local tradition, King Chodaganga Deva was cured of leprosy at this place. Consequently, he established the deities of Narasimha and Radha-Madhava here and built a temple. The main shrine of the math stands in the form of a Rekha Deula, which now appears white due to lime washing done over time. Within the monastery complex, several graveyards of former “mahants” can be seen. However, due to lack of proper care, some parts of the temple are now in a dilapidated condition.

Then the walkers proceeded towards Girnari Banta. This ashram, known as the Advaita Brahma Ashram and locally called Girnari Banta, is famous as the place of spiritual practice and graveyard of Totapuri Baba. Situated on a sandy mound surrounded by greenery, a wandering monk named Digambara Paramahamsa Dev Maharaj came to Puri in the 18^th Century and was engaged in spiritual practices. Heritage enthusiast Rajeswar Mohanty explained the importance of this place and described several miraculous aspects associated with Totapuri Baba.

The next destination was Shankarpur, where they explored the shrine of Shankareswar Mahadev and listened to accounts of his glory. The architectural features of the temple belong to the Somavamsi era. This West-facing shrine is the presiding deity of the local Yadav community. The legends connected with the manifestation of the deity, the Kshirasagara Mela held on Vaishakha Purnima, and other festivals were beautifully explained by one of the young members of the PHW, Durgamadhab Mohanty.

Finally, the participants visited the temple of Baba Lokanath. After having the “darshan” of Mahadeva and Uma-Maheswara at the temple of Baba Lokanath, who is revered as the second Pandava Bhima of Srikshetra—they sat in the temple courtyard and discussed its architecture, history, rituals, and festivals. Priyankar Maharana and Jyotsna Mohapatra explained the significance of Baba Lokanath in a very simple and engaging manner.

While historians hold various opinions regarding the antiquity of the temple, some government reports suggest that the present structure was built in the 19th Century by renovating and giving a new form to an earlier temple. According to mythological accounts, Baba Lokanath was established by Lord Shri Rama, the embodiment of “Maryada Purushottama”. Various local traditions and historical references, however, suggest that the lingam is extremely ancient. There is also a belief that if a person suffering from a disease in any part of the body makes a vow to Baba Lokanath and offers a metal replica of the afflicted body part, the ailment is cured.

One of the special attractions of this heritage walk was the celebration of International Women’s Day. On this occasion, the women participants of the group were felicitated with gifts. The walk concluded under the guidance of convener Dr Kumar Aurojyoti and co-convener Ashoka Manjari Nayak. Among the other prominent participants who contributed to the success of the walk were Debasis Mishra, Ritu Pattanaik, Suprava Sahoo, Subrata Kumar Bal, Tanmaya Chatterjee, Sasmita Pattanaik, Suman Mandal, Debi Prasad Dhar, Ambika Prasad Mishra, Sunil Kumar Palei, Soumendra Kumar Das, Biswamohan Sahoo and Satya Prakash Nayak.