Tourist Places In Balangir/Bolangir |
Patnagarh:The ancient capital of the kingdom of Patna, Patnagarh combines in happy synthesis its mythic past with the modern present. The temples of Patmeswari in Chalukyan style and that of Someswar Siva belonging to the 12th Century are the monuments of prominence. One can find here the reminiscence of the earliest group of temples build during the Chauhan rule in Western part of Odisha.
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Jal Mahadev: We learn from the Epics that Lord Shiva guzzled poison which trickled during churning of the Deep using Mandara Hill as a shaft. For the welfare of the Universe, He drank the poison that coloured his neck blue. In order to remain cool and composed he let the river Ganges descend from the feet of Lord Vishnu on his mat. So wel called him Gangadhar. Since the moon which signifies coolness adorns his forehead. He is named as Chandrasekhar. Because of this necessity, man probably associated profuse water with the worship of Lord Shiva. Hence during ablutions we use much water and milk to gratify him. Peculiarly Lord Loknath in Puri remains completely ducked under water but unfailingly water dribbles on the Linga at every Shiva Temple. However, like Panchalingeswar, the rarity of Jal Mahadev is that He displays himself(Swayambhu) beneath the flow of a perennial stream. So devotees drop bel leaves and flower on the gushing rill. Picturesque surrounding casts charm and placiditly on solemn presence of the Lord. Moreover, a number of Shiva Lingas are ferreted out at the site which were probably earlier adored by ascetics. This fact oints to antiquity of the site which perhaps was a hub of religious activities. Like Harishankar, dense forest cover enriches the backdrop of a modern temple. The white edifice of Trilingeshwar was completed by Sri A.U.Singhdeo, The Ex-Minister of Tourism, Odisha few years before. The stream amid nature provides ample scope for bathing in privacy. Nature lovers and pilgrims throng the place for picnic and a holy dip., As the destination is located at the foothills of the Gandhamardan, exotic plants, birds, animals, reptiles and insects get full freedom to roam and flock. So a visitor gets solace and real vaalue of his money. For all these reasons, visitors from Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha enjoy these two places by own transport. There is a connecting route from Harishankar to Jal Mahadev(6/7 KMs) but it is not motorable nor free of accidents. So if pucca road can be lad for the benefit of visitors and tourists the distance and time will be reduced and journey will be most exciting. The visitors may commune with nature and stumble upon wild animals. Thus they will have a choice for picnic either at Harishankar or Jal Mahadev. But they can pay respect at both the places. In addition, one can visit the Deer Park, Herbal Garden and local market at Harishankar. Trekkers can try a 16 Km route to reach Lord Nrusingh at the other side of the Gandhamardan Hills.
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HARISHANKAR: On the Southern slope of the Gandhamardan hills stands Harishankar, a place of pilgrimage with uncommon scenic charms. A perennial stream bursting into droplets rushes on its hard granite bed to form cascades at different stages. As a cool resort in the lap of nature, Harishankar is a panacea for the heat of the summer season. On the Northern slope of the Gandhamardan hills lies Nrusinghanath in Bargarh district. Both the places are connected by a hill top road of 16 kms., which the pilgrims cover in a day on foot during Nrusingh Chaturdasi. Trekkers and adventurists also find the journey an interesting one. Harishankar is connected by an all weather good moterable road (81 Kms.). Regular bus services operate to an from Balangir. But visitors are requested to take their own transport from Balangir.
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Tentulikhunti: A village revived its old celebrity that it was a seat of religious activities during Savapuriya Dynasty before the advent of the Somavamsi Kesharies(8th Century). An open space surrounded by paddy fields, presently houses three monolithic deities of Jagannath temple. However, the stone images of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra, unique of its kind were known to humankind after an excavation made in accordance with an afflatus received by a villager. Respective colours of the deities are applied to these Idols ranging not more than 1.5ft in height. The age and time of execution can only by revealed after Carbon testing.
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