Sreekshetra : a Tourist Destination
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Orissa Review June-July - 2007 Sreekshetra : A Tourist Destination Pareswar Sahoo Gayatri Das Sreekshetra - the soul of Orissa, is identified in In fact each one of these monuments is a the ethnographic map of India's east coast. It has master piece, the work of so many artisans, been considered as one of the four dhams (sacred sculptors and architects reflected on stones. religious place) in India, and in true sense a high However the cult of Jagannath is all pervasive 6 ranking tourist destination. It is bounded by the depicting three colours White, Yellow and Black Bay of Bengal in the east and known as the in the form of Balabhadra, Subhadra and Lord summer capital of Orissa next to Bhubaneswar. Jagannath. The three deities signify the attitude of Puri offers not only nature in all its glory with its Oriyas that is universalism as a matter of principle of co-existence.7 The long coast of Puri was once finest white sand beaches, rivers and marine famous for its maritime trade and commerce. drives, but also a great tradition of architecture, monuments and sculptural art. Historically Puri Besides the central attraction of Lord bears the two great temples like the Sun temple Jagannath temple of Puri the holy trinity is guarded (the Black Pagoda) at Konark (Arka Kshetra) by eight Siva temples i.e Markendeswar, and the Lord Jagannath temple (the White Kapalamochan, Lokanath, Jameswar, Pagoda) at Puri Sreekshetra. The temple of Nilakantheswar, Bilweswar, Isaneswar and Pataleswar, stationed in eight directions and save Jagannath built on an altar presents an imposing the people of Puri from danger. Similarly eight sight and can be seen from miles away that means Mother Goddesses like Batamangala, from Batamangala. It is a fine specimen of the Alanchandi, Ardhasani, Marchika, Narayani, 1 Pancharatha style of Orissan architecture. The Shyamakali, Dakshinakali and Ramachandi also credit goes to Anantavarman Chodaganga Dev guard the Holy Trinity. Another site for the tourists (1073-1147) for its construction. It is is the Panchatirtha situated in the temple premises approachable by four entrances on the east, west, of Puri adding the new feathers in its historical north and south through Lion's Gate (Simhadwara) potentialities. Yet other sites are Markandeswar Elephant Gate (Hastidwara) Horse Gate Tank, Indradyumna Tank, Swetaganga, (Aswadwara) and Tiger Gate (Byaghradwara) Mahodadhi and Rohinikunda8. respectively, which are considered as very sacred Another unique and distinct feature of the from the historical and religious point of view. They Land of Puri or Sreekshetra is a form of painting are said to represent Dharma2, Jnana3, Vairagya4 known as Pattachitra9 or palmleaf paintings. and Aiswarya5. Drawing of Chita10 and Jhoti11 adore the walls of 50 Orissa Review June-July - 2007 the traditional thatched houses and the floors and has been declared as a Heritage Site by ground nearby. The village of Raghurajpur on the UNESCO. This lovely temple on the sea shore way to Puri attracts the tourists in this regard. was built in the 13th century A.D. It represents The carpet of Puri is considered as a the matured phase of Orissan architecture. Adding cherished acquisition. It could be termed out to to its charm is the beautiful expanse of the glittering highways with its swaying palm trees, azure sea be the single most expensive purchase you end 13 up making on that glorious trip to Puri. A Puri and the golden sea beach . Although it is sharing carpet is a multi-purpose object that fulfills the its architecture in common with northern temple contrary functions. It is an object of high styles such as at Khajuraho in Madyapradesh, decoration, yet lies under the feet of people and Tose in Rajastan, but Orissa developed a forgiving warmth, smoothness and protection from characteristic local style that is distinguished. dampness. It is as some would say one of the The festivals of Puri district like the Beach selected few articles of home decoration that has Festival and the Konark Festival provides remained unchanged through the centuries. Prized enormous opportunity to the tourists both from for its warmth, visual appeal and individual inland, and abroad. By this festival a common enduring quality, it has embellished the hall of the cultural synthesis has emerged. In the months of kings and sultans of a bygone time and still a Kartika and Margasir like November and cherished item in modern days. December these two festivals take place with a Next to the carpet acquisition, Sakhigopal great pomp and gaity. The typical life style and is the leading place emerging for the revival of the local food preparation helps a lot for the tourist nationalism with the pioneering philosophy of influx to Orissa and particularly to Sreekshetra. Panchasakhas and the Satyavadi School and for All these conspiquous characteristics make the temples of Radha Krishna and Rama, Laxman, Sreekshetra as the leading tourist destination not Sita. Lord Krishna is the presiding deity of this only in India but also in the world and open up a temple. The stone image of Lord Gopinath alias new chapter in globalization. Gopal was at Kanchi which was later on brought Over the centuries it has attracted people by king Purusottama Dev to Orissa and installed from wide and far, especially preachers, saints, at Sakhigopal. A great festival is annually held philosophers, educationists and tourists from all here on the Anla Navami12 day in the Month of over the world. Examples can be given of Hiuen Kartika to see the feet of Radha. It is meant both Tsang, the Buddhist Chinese traveller; Ramanuja, for the internal and inland tourist as a tourist the Vaishnavite saint philosopher; Sri Chaitanya, destination through which a great deal of social the exponent of Radha Krishna conciousness; interchange and entrepreneurship take place. Nanak, the founder of Sikhism etc. who came Above all, from spiritualists to the here in religious persuits. A meeting point of so monument lovers, the Sun temple (the Black many traditions, faiths, and philosophies like Pagoda) in Puri district is distinguished as an Jainism, Vaishnavism, Saivism and Saktism, Puri enduring symbol of Orissan art and architecture beholds crowds round the calender year who on the faces of granite. It stands as a symbol of come to see the ancient historical-cum-religious beauty through the centuries and even today sites. fascinating tourists from all over the world. The The new concept of tourism has emerged historical monument like the Sun temple at Konark in the recent days as the central pillar of the 51 Orissa Review June-July - 2007 services economy which can uniquely help the availability of all commodities in well affordable society to respond to global challenges, if its prices. growth is managed properly with an emphasis on (viii) A yoga center with modern facilities should poverty alleviation. The projected growth of come up in the vicinity of the area. tourism sector has its broad direct and indirect impact across all economics, particularly those (ix) Developing a special armed professional of developing states. Being a topmost tourist Tourism Protection Force (non-voluntary) with destination it attracts the tourists. sufficient caliber to prevent physical assaults to the tourists as well as to the tourism resources of For tourism management and to achieve a the region. self propelling growth of economy in the tourism sector, the following aspects should be managed. (x) Giving wide publicity to potentially attractive places of tourist attractions, the history, (i) Demarcation of the rural tourism sector as traditions, art, music, climate, and information a special tourism segment and allowing only about the rural entrepreneurship and the focused tourists to the sites. availability of accommodation in different cost (ii) Well qualified educated guides having the segments and the smooth convenience of sound historical knowledge should be appointed transportation etc. to properly guide the tourists. References : (iii) Orissa Government authorities to give 1. J. Pradhan, A Journey to Odisha, Bhubaneswar exposure to local entrepreneurs near the tourism 2001, PP 40-42. spots in different forms viz; exhibitions, fairs and 2. Ibid. 3. Ibid. festivals, competitions, symposiums etc regarding 4. Ibid. the historical relevance interpreted generally and 5. J. Pradhan, Op. cit. P. 44. in particular with regard to contemporary 6. Praveen Sethi, Heritage Tourism, Annual importance. Publication, New Delhi, 1999. 7. The New Indian Express, Dated 29th January (iv) Preservation and adherence to the "codes 2002. of ethics" of tourism development as prescribed 8. Brundtland Report, 1987. by the World Tourism Organization in 1999. 9. Benjamin Simon, Marketing Khandagiri and Udayagiri as a Tourist Destination, Souvenir, (v) It is necessary for the Govt of Orissa and RCM, Bhubaneswar, 24th march 2002 the Orissa branch of Indian Tourism, to give 10. C.L. Fabri, History of the Art of Orissa, Bombay, priority to the tourism departments of other states 1974, PP-19-21 like, Andhrapradesh Tourism, Uttaranchal 11. Ibid. 12. Benjamin Simon, op. cit. p. 23 Tourism, Tamilnadu Tourism, and West Bengal 13. Pareswar Sahoo, Tourism in Orissa, Orissa Tourism to open their stalls in various Exhibitions. Review, Nov. 2005. (vi) Imposition of strict and punishable ban on illicit activities, prostitutions, drug trafficking and Pareswar Sahoo is a Ph. D. Research Scholar in History, any other activity that disturbs traditional culture P.G. Dept. of History, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar. and heritage. Gayatri Das is a Research Scholar in Women's Studies (vii) Specially outstanding market facilities in P.G. Dept. of Women's Studies, Utkal University, should be developed in the vicinity area with the Bhubaneswar. 52.