Sixth Puri Heritage Walk Highlights Historical and Cultural Landmarks

Puri: The sixth edition of the Puri Heritage Walk (PHW) took place on Sunday with 20 participants exploring some of the city’s iconic historical and cultural sites. The walk began at the Puri Beach Lighthouse, where Shri Vinod Yadav, an official from the lighthouse authority, shared insights into its rich history and significance in navigation. Participants learned about the lighthouse’s role in distance estimation from the shore and its function in disseminating meteorological information. The group also had the opportunity to view ancient cannons and anchors preserved near the lighthouse.

The participants then ascended the lighthouse, enjoying stunning panoramic views of the sea and the surrounding landscape.

Next, the walkers visited the Shri Aarti Sahib Gurdwara, where they paid their respects to the sacred Granth Sahib. They were also introduced to the life of Bhai Himmat Singh, one of the five beloved disciples of Guru Gobind Singh, who had a connection to Puri.

The group later gathered at the Sata Lahari Mutt, where they engaged in an evening prayer. Brahmachari Bamadeva Nanda, who resides at the mutt, shared concerns about the deteriorating state of the site. This historically significant place, where Atibadi Jagannath Das, the author of the Odia Bhagavata, spent his last years, has suffered from neglect. Participants expressed concern over the lack of preservation efforts by the Odia community and the ongoing misuse of the mutt’s premises. Visitors and locals have reportedly turned the area into a public toilet, and land mafias are said to be eyeing the land, which raises security concerns for the mutt residents.

Participants called for intervention by the district administration and the state government to address these issues and protect the sacred site’s legacy.

The heritage walk concluded with the participants taking part in the Samudra Aarti at the Swargadwar beach front, marking the end of the day’s activities.

Notable figures who joined the walk included heritage researcher Shri Debi Prasanna Nanda, Dr. Kumar Aurojyoti, Pandit Sidhartha Acharya, Subas Chandra Mahapatra, Ashoka Nayak, Debasis Mishra, Priyankar Maharana, Biswamohan Sahu, and Bishwajyoti Tripathi, among others.