Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669

ulasi Kshetra, the abode of TTulasi is the ancient name of . It is one of the holiest places of Bharat Varsha. Shree Baladevjew is the presiding deity of of this kshetra. The excellence of Tulasi Kshetra is described in some and scriptures. The significance of Sri Baladevjew and Tulasi Kshetra is also rightly mentioned in “Brahma Tantra”- “Varshanam Vharatah shrestha Desam Utkal Tatha

Shree Baladevjew and of Kendrapara

Dr. Sarbeswar Sena

Utkale shrestha Tirthana situated in 20°49’E. Latitude and 86°25’E to Krushnarka parbuti 87°.1’E.Longitude and the district headquarter Yatrayam Halayudha Gachhet being the same. The district is surrounded by Tulasikshetra Tisthati , , and Utkale Panchakshetrancha districts and in the east. The river Badanti Munipungabah.” Luna (a branch of the ) and other rivers Kendrapara has its special identity in the that flow in are Karandia, world tourism map for Shree Baladevjew and Gobari, Chitrotpala and Hansua. Aul, some world famous eco-tourist spots. Derabish, Garadpur, Mohakalpara, Marshaghai, Introducing Kendrapara: Kendrapara, Rajanagar, , are the nine blocks of the district. Kendrapara originally belongs to undivided becomes a sub-division Kendrapara is 59 km far from Cuttack. (1859) and at last a district (1993 A.D.)It is One can reach the district headquarters by bus

JUNE - 2017 129 ISSN 0970-8669 Review from Cuttack via Jagatpur on Cuttack-Salipur twelfth day of the bright fortnight of the month state highway or on the National highway No.-5 Magha. The same day is observed ‘Marriage day’ and 5(A), crossing at Chandikhola via Chhata in the temple each year. Some also say that towards Paradip. The nearest railway station is Kendrapara is from Kendara the musical Cuttack, 54 Km from Kendrapara. Drive from instrument played by Nath Yogis of Kendrapara Airport on National highway 5 and has no strong base to believe. Bipin Bihari Sen 5(A) takes 2½ hours only. From Bhadrak to has written an essay in Utkal Sahitya, captioned Kendrapara via Chandikhola and Duhuria, from ‘Aswasthakshetra Ba Zilla Kujanga’ that Jagatsinghpur via Bhutmundai, Marshaghai, Maratha soldiers camped in the centre of Gopachhaka and Duhuria, from via contemporary Kendrapara (1753) to defeat Rajanagar, Aul, Pattamundai, Gogua, Garapur, Chatrubhuja Sandha, the king of Kujanga. one can travel in bus and reach Kendrapara. They have named that place Kendrapalli (all For lodging and boarding, a pilgrim can villages/ middle of the village). From that time the avail the facilities of small and big hotels in the name Tulasikshetra is changed and called district headquarters. Taxi, Auto, Rickshaw Kendrapalli but uttered Kendrapara by the services is the easy means of travelling to different British. Due to faulty pronunciation people are places of interest of the district. used to write Kendrapara as Kendrapada in regional language. Besides Tulasikshetra is known Kendrapara is a coastal district, has as ‘Gupta Kshetra’, ‘Gupta Brindaban’, many attractions for tourists and pilgrims. Temples, ‘Utkale gupta Brindaban’ and ‘Brahma historical places, sea-beach, enchanting natural Kshetra’ etc. based on Hindu mythology. scenery and some world famous eco-tourists’ spots have made the district significant one. Historical background of Sri Baladevjew Among them Tulasikshetra is the most important temple can be traced back to the reign of one. Moharani Kalyani. Initially Baladev has been established in “Chaturasra Mandap’ with Tulasi. Sri Baladevjew, Ichhapur But later Sri and are Kendrapara is popularly known as associated with Balabhadra. The temple is Ichhapur and is famous for the temple of Lord erected by Jajati Keshari in 10th century A.D. Shree Baladevjew, the elder brother of Shree Some opine that King Anangabhima Dev-III has Jagannath. As per legend, the name Kendrapara built the big temple ‘Rekhadeula’ of Baladevjew is derived from the demon king Kandarasura, which was destroyed by Kalapahada (1568) a ruled over the region of . cruel fanatic Muslim. That temple has been Tulasikshetra Mahatmya, written by Sri demolished (1663) by Sudadhar Khan-i- Bipra Madhuri reveals that Baladevjew killed Dauran of the Moghul emperor Aurangzeb. The the tyrant ruler Kandara, married his daughter new temple is built (1670) at Ichhapur by king Tulasi. The place where Kandarasura was killed Gopalshree and Srinibas Narendra Mohapatra is named as Kendrapara in the memory of of Kujanga and Chedera respectively. The Kandara and Tulasikshetra in the name of his temple is encircled by a big wall of 14 feet height. daughter. Balabhadra married Tulasi on the In the temple premises four big temples

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(Srimandir, Bhogamandap, Jagamohan, sister Subhadra and weapon Sudarshan with him Batamandir) are there. In front of the temple in a single chariot (Brahma Taladhwaja), the stands Aruna Stambha of 40 feet height and 4 highest one in the world. The chariot has 14 feet rounded. With main deities Mohalaxmi, wheels of 6 feet height. Those are spoke-less and Sudarshan, Gopalballava along with a big are of three solid Sal wooden planks 7 inches Salagram (a black pebble found in the river thick each. Brahma Taladhwaja is 65 feet high. Ganduki) are worshipped on the Ratna Singhasan of the deities is 12 feet high from the Singhasan. Tulasi near Satapahacha, land level. Two white and two black horses are Astasambhu, Baikunthanath, Kamadhenu, attached to the chariot. They are Tibra, Ghora, Nabagraha, Sri Ganesh, Rabati, Kali, Yama, Dirghashram and Swarnanava. An interesting Nrusingha, Maa Sarala, , Bakdevi legend lies behind Brahma Taladhwaja that the are some of the side deities of the temple. Gods provided Balabhadra the chariot in Dwapar yuga to kill Dhenuka the dangerous Jhulanaghara, Ratnabhandar, Snana mandap giant. The banner on the top bore a Palmyra-tree and Muktimandap are in the temple campus. The symbol and the war was in Palmyra-tree groves. main temple is of 75 feet height and 40 feet width, So the chariot is named Brahma Taladhwaja. At built with Baulamalia stones in the shape of , and Mausima Mandira Saptapidha style (seven layers). (Ardhashosini) are in separate place where as Deity Shree Baladevjew is the latter is in the premises of Gundicha temple ‘Manibigraha’ where as Sri Jagannath of of Ichhapur. Srimandir is ‘Darubrahma’. During the rituals Ratha Yatra (Car Festival) of Lord of Navakalebara, the divine deities of Srimandir Baladev is of nine days duration called are replaced by new ones and ‘Brahma’ is placed ‘Nabadinatmaka Yatra’. It is also popularly in the new deities. But in the temple of known as ‘Patitapaban Yatra’. Patita means the Baladevjew, Ichhapur only silken clothes of the downtrodden and ‘Pabana’ means to purify the deities are replaced by new ones. effects of sin. Shree Baladevjew is merciful and Ratha Yatra of Shree Baladevjew : reads the minds and hearts of the devotees. People of all communities are not allowed to enter His Different rituals are observed in the temple. But during the Car Festival irrespective temple all along the year. ‘Raksha Bandhan’, of caste, colour and sex all get the opportunity to ‘Tulasi Bibaha’, Jhulanyatra, Kanchi have a ‘Darshan’ of Baladevjew along with his Kaverivesha, Kandarasura Nidhan (vira younger brother Jagannath and sister Subhadra vesha), RaghunathVesha on the chariot are with weapon Sudarshana on the chariot, some of the important occasions of the temple. ‘Brahma Taladhwaja’. They participate in pulling But Rathyatra on 2nd day of the bright fortnight the chariot to Gundicha Temple. The surroundings of is the spectacular one. The deities of here are thrilled in joy and devotion. From all sides Shreemandir (Jagannath, Balabhadra, the sacred name of Hari and Hulahuli (an Subhadra with Sudarshan) start for Gundicha inarticulate sound made by women in auspicious temple in separate chariots. But at Ichhapur occasion) resounds and that create a heavenly Baladev takes his younger brother Jagannath, atmosphere.

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The rituals of the Car Festival of Shree lunar day of the bright fortnight the devotees have Baladevjew, Kendrapara are almost the same a Darshan of Shree Baladevjew in ‘Raghunath of Shree Jagannath, Puri. After completion of Vesha’ on the chariot is a special feature of Rath all the stipulated rituals in Shree Gundicha the Yatra at Kendrapara. On the same day most awaited ceremony ‘Pahandi’ (a luxurious ‘Adharpana Bhoga’ (a sweet drink) is offered procession) starts. The Panigrahi Brahmins to the deities on the chariot. The great Car Festival perform the same. At Puri the Daitapati completes on the thirteenth lunar day of bright Sevayats are in-charge of Pahandi. The deities fortnight after the completion of the rituals ‘Niladri move to the chariot swing forward and backward Bije’ (entry of deities to the temple). On this in a rhythmic style and it is a marvelous sight to occasion the deities serially go in Pahandi be observed. After Pahandi ceremony the ritual towards Simhadwara. The Brahmins recite the of ‘Chherapanhara’ begins. The horses are tied and Stotras, the beats of cymbals, gongs to the chariot. Then pulling the chariot begins. The and the sounds of conchs purify the atmosphere. chariot is dragged to a small distance. The very The earth becomes the Baikuntha (the abode of next day again the process starts and completed. ). A devotee prays Lord Baladev with This is a special tradition of Kendrapara Ratha stretched hands above and recites – Yatra. The same practice is followed during the “Dhyaye Brahmanda natham subhra Bahuda Yatra (the return journey). dhabalatanu ratna simhasanstham The deities remain in Gundicha Temple Bame bhadradatree suchisuchiratanu for seven days. This temple is also called the bhagyadatree Subhadra ‘Adapmandap’ and ‘Janmabedi’. On the fifth Tadbame Jagannath Neelaniradatanu day (starting from and including the day of Car sankha sobhitapanou Festival) the ritual ‘Herapanchami’ is observed. Tulasi, Rabti dwe chirabasatu Goddess Laxmi moves to Gundicha temple in Manibigraham namami.” a procession to bring her husband Shree Kendrapara is famous for Rasabali (a Jagannath but fails. Out of anger she breaks a soft cake prepared with flour cheese, dipped in piece of wood from the chariot and returns to the sweet milk). Different tasty bhoga (offering to temple with a broken heart. This ritual is the deity) are offered to Baladevjew but Rasabali completed by the Puja Pandas. The day before is the important one. Gudia Panda prepare the the Bahuda Yatra is the most auspicious day for same. the devotees. It is remarkable for ‘Sandhya Baladev cult has established religious Darshan’ or ‘Adap Darshan’ of Shree harmony and it spells out the socio-economic and Baladevjew on Adap Mandap. The devotees religious spheres in Odisha. It has reduced the get the chance to view Baladevjew on this day in caste system to a greater extent through car- the evening hours, achieve the sacredness and festival and has tried to bind the people in the virtues that is ten times more than the day time rope of love, amity and fraternity. No doubt th Darshan. On the tenth day (the 11 day of bright Baladev cult is unique and spectacular one. fortnight of Asadha) the ritual of ‘Bada Ekadasi’ is performed on the chariot. On this day most of the devotees keep fasting with a hope to get Dr. Sarbeswar Sena, At/PO- , blessings from Shree Baladevjew. On the twelfth Kendrapara-754223.

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