Orissa Review September - 2009

The Eleven Armed Durga of Athmallik

Dr. Himansu Sekhar Padhi

Located almost at the central point of Orissa, the Somavamsis was Panchambari Bhadrambika, Athmallik, a sub-divisional headquarters of a form of Goddess Durga. In 14th century A.D. district has earned celebrity as a prominent Shakta Goddess Maheswari was again shifted to center since the ancient days. Handapa, the capital of In the eighth century A.D. it Athmallik kingdom by the constituted an integral part of then king of Kadamba family Kodalaka mandala and was being ordered in a dream. ruled by the sulkis who were After some year she was stunch worshippers of again shifted to Athmallik with Mother Goddess and the the transfer of the capital to devotees of Goddess the town. Her temple was Stambheswari, the non- constructed in 1922 with the aryanised form of damage of the previous one. Maheswari. Previously Facing towards east, the deity known as Kaintragarh, it was is worshipped in the form of the capital of the glorious eleven armed Durga which is Kadamba dynasty. Once, the a rare iconic representation tutelary deity of this dynasty and is found reference to in and presently the presiding Devi Bhagavata. According deity of Athmallik region, to it, while fighting with the Goddess Maheswari is now buffalo demon Mahisasura, enshrined at Rugudisahi, Goddess Durga, Athamallik Goddess Durga had to give located at around one K.M. up her clothes and became from the new bus stand. Legend says, the early naked in order to attract him. After the abode of the Goddess was Jajpur. King Suvarna assassination of the demon when the Goddess Kesari (identified with king Yayati II of the became temperate, the Gods of the heaven made Somavamsi dynasty) took her to Deuljhari, a Saiva her conscious about it. So she felt shame and all and Shakta center near Athmallik and enshrined of a sudden a new hand came out from her there. It is noteworthy that the tutelary deity of nucleus and covered the vagina. This particular

139 Orissa Review September - 2009 representation is found in the icon of the Goddess. from Sambalpur and is well connected by road. Although there are ample example of Goddess The nearest railhead is at Boinda, 36 km from Durga having two, four, eight, ten and even twenty here, connected with the major cities of . arms, yet eleven armed Durga is found no where Nearest Airport is at . in the country. In the sanctum of her abode Lord Accommodation : Dolagovinda is also worshipped along with her. The shrine draws innumerable crowd round the A circuit house (reservation authority is year every day. Hundreds of pilgrims visit her Sub-Collector, Athmallik), an Inspection shrine not only for a darshan of the Mother Bungalow of public works department Goddess but also to seek relief from the physical (reservation authority is Executive Engineer, R & ailment they suffer from. She is said to be the B, Dhenkanal), a Guest house of Manjore fulfiller of all desires. Her main festival is held in Irrigation Project (reservation authority Executive the month of Aswina, beginning from krishna Engineer) and a dharmasala managed by NAC paksha astami, it continues for sixteen days. On provide accommodation facilities to the tourists. the last day she is taken to the Dasahara melana How ever the comfort loving travellers are advised ground in a warm procession. Animals and birds to stay at Angul and cover the shrine in a day by like goats, sheeps and hens etc. are sacrificed hiring a vehicle. before her at that time. How to Go : Lecturer in History, Athmallik College, Athmallik is located at 235 km from District Angul. Bhubaneswar, 200 km from and 160 km

Goddess Lankeswari Temple, Junagarh, Dist. Kalahandi

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