September - October - 2014 Review

Siva and Shakti Cult in Parlakhemundi : Some Reflections

Dr. N.P. Panigrahi

Parlakhemundi is a beautiful place in Gajapati The social and religious life of the people District of Odisha. It is being surrounded by the of Parlakhemundi are intimately connected with beauty and bounty of nature. This sacred soil has temples. Temples play an important role in the a glorious past. History holds the record that social life of the people of this region. Structure during 357 A.D. the Mathra dynasty; king Visakha of the Siva temple is different from Shakti temples Vermin established Sasan at Kharasanda in of Parlakhemundi. These are constructed by the Parlakhemundi area1. This was the first Brahman kings in general, but other temples were built by 6 Sasan. Sasans were established in this estate during rich people of this region . the rule of different kings. Besides Vedic Brahmins, The origin of deity worship by the people the Padhias, the Haluas and the Sarua Brahmins of Parlakhemundi is rooted in mystery. However, dwelt here. Those worship in Siva temple are the nature of creation of temples and with deities named in colloquial language as ‘Deulia most probably started with tree worship like Tulsi, Brahman’2. In Parlakhemundi estate the Neem, Bel, Aswatath, Banyan tree, Amla, inhabitants from different areas live with Dhan Apamarang, etc. All deities had their own 7 Khandayat, Karan, Srikaran, Chitrikaran, temples . Endowed with nature’s bounty, vast stretches of river banks, miles and miles of rolling Teli, Sundhi, Gauda, Kampa, Bakiti Telugu, forests, lush green country sides, disparate wild Sunari. They all worship different Gods and 3 life, colourful tribes and rural beauties, Goddesses . Parlakhemundi, the historical town is still richer The Ganga dynasty of Parlakhemundi by its great tradition of architecture, monuments worshipped God Sri Ram Swami and Goddess and sculptural excellences8. It has been a Manikeswari as their family deities. Under the repository of one of the Odisha’s finest cultural patronage of religious kings Parlakhemundi has heritages. It has attracted saints, poets, play become a place a famous temples and mathas4. writers, philosophers and pilgrims through the Mathas and Mandirs categorically in each and ages. every street of Parlakhemundi. Three cultural The worship of Lord Siva is very much streams viz. Aryan, Dravidian and Savarian ancient in Parlakhemundi. The Gokarneswar of confluence have their contribution to the temple Mahendragiri9 can be cited as burning example. architecture of Parlakhemundi5. This God Gokarneswar, is one of the popular

11 Odisha Review September - October - 2014 forms of Siva since the 7th Century A.D. He had South, Karttik on the East and Lord Vishnu on been the family deity of the Gangas for more than the eastern side. The Sukanase stands in front of four hundred years until the Gangas shifted their the temple who is crowded with six chamu headquarters from Kalinga Nagar and were sikhars. Some scholars say that original shape of converted into Vaishnavism10. Gokarneswar was wooden pillar worshipped by KUNTI MANDIR sauras or tribals on the Mahendra hill which later turned the shape of siva linga and named Kunti mandir or Kunti temple stands on Gokarneswar since was the home the second peak, next in height to Kubjagiri of land of the Sailodbhavas, this temple may be the 11 Mahendragiri mountain . It is difficult to say that work of them. Then this Gokarneswar was who actually enshrined Kunti temple on the top known as Soyambhu. Pulindesen19, the ruler of of Mahendragiri temple. It is also called as Lord this dynasty worshipped this God and got a son Gokarneswar temple12. This temple is one of the who is believed to have emerged out of the sila earliest temples of not only Parlakhemundi, or rock. Different reputed historians have given but the first temple of entire South Odisha13 which different views regarding the erection of the may be assigned to the 7th Century A.D. It is temple. Dr. K.Ch. Panigrahi says this was built in believed that the first ruling prince of Kalinga was fifty century A.D. Dr. N.K.Sahu views it was Maharajadhiraj Indravarman14 who acquired by his own valour and strength. He was staunch constructed by Samant Verma in the middle of worshipper of Lord Gokarneswar. This temple the Sixth Century A.D. But Dr. H.K. Mahtab opines this temple was constructed by Debendra on the top of this mountain may be established by 20 him which became the family god of all the Verma, most probably the First Ganga King . branches of the Gangas of Kalinga15. BHIMA MANDIR According to puranic literature, Lord Bhima Mandir is situated in the southwest Siva Himself established the temple of Lord of Judhistir temple on Kubjagiri, the highest peak Gokarneswar. The great God, Siva once of Mahendragiri mountain very close to slaughtered the divine cow Kapila whose body Parlakhemundi. Mahendragiri is also called the fell in the sea and ear or Karna or Kana fell on Kulaparvat of Eastern Ganga Kings21. It is Mahendragiri16. In order to clear the great sins presently identified with the Eastern Ghat, which He performed penance there. In the medieval is located in the Odisha – Andhra Border. It is history of the Eastern Gangas there find the the sacred hill rising to a height of 4923 feet from country was surrounded by the mount Mahendra the sea level. The sacred epic the Mahabharat on whose summit their family god Gokarneswar describes that Mahendragiri is main religious 17 was established . centre which is being connected with Parshuram, Gokarneswar temple or Kunti temple is one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. It is known a ‘Rekha Deula’ without Jagamohan18, and from this great epic that brothers22 medium height, most probably the temple was visited this mountain range and rested here for constructed by any of the early Kalinga rulers and few days. On the way to Kalinga, the later period it was either repaired or reconstructed climbed upon a vedic in Mahendragiri and by the Ganga Kings. There are three niches of acquired the Divine powers here. After climbing the three sides of the temples. Ganesh is on the the vedi they had a sacred bath in the sea and

12 September - October - 2014 Odisha Review they took rest during the night. For them the stone is no deity to be found. There are four Chaitya caves were built for their rest. The Bhima temple arches on four sides of the Sikhara or tower of is one of them. It is made out of huge sized stone the temple. The front door of the temple lintel blocks kept balanced one over another. It is a contains an inscription of the Chola King Rajendra pile of huge sized stone blocks arranged balanced Chola. The temple actually faces to the west. on each other. The temple is smaller in height, Judhistira temple can be compared with and was flat roofed structure. It was walled by Satrughaneswar group of temples at Bhubaneswar eight big pieces of stones measuring 10-½’ length, which are roughly assigned to the last part of the 10-½’ width and 7-½’ thickness23. The temple Sixth Century A.D26. Broken idols of deities lie has one small door opening of 1.2m height and scattered inside the courtyard of the temple give 31cm wide. In the grabhagruha or inside of the an impression about the existence of many ancient temple there are no Siva, or Linga or Sakti deity, temples. but one block of stone is placed as object of The Mahendra Mountain region, that worship. According to the views of the great formed an important geographical features of historians of Odisha, this Bhima temple was Kalinga, became not only the cradle land of many 24 constructed by Mathra King Uma Varman , royal dynasties in the past but also as an important during his reign period 360-395 A.D. Possibly seat of political activities, religious and cultural life the Bhima temple was constructed earlier than of Kalinga. Even today Mahendra Mountain is that of Kunti temple. regarded as a Kulagiri and popular as the JUDHISTIRA MANDIR Himalayas of Kalinga27. In the day of Maha Judhistir Mandir is another Siva temple Shivaratri, the pilgrims of Parlakhemundi, and of Mahendra Giri of Parlakhemundi. It is located outside assembled there to witness these group on the top of the Mahendra hill. The temple is of temples. constructed with hard granite blocks. The top of There are good numbers of Siva temples the temple is adorned with an amalaka and an in the heart of the town Parlakhemundi. The names ayudha or weapon25. Like Bhima temple there of these Siva temples are described below with their proper location28. Sl. No. Siva Temples Locations in Parlakhemundi 1. Sri Kashiviswanath Mandir Small Irrigation Area 2. Sri Venkateswar Mandir Saura Street 3. Sri Ramalingeswar Mandir Palace Street 4. Sri Ekamreswar Mandir Palace Street 5. Sri Venkateswar Mandir Beborta Street 6. Sri Dhabaleswar Mandir SKCG College Road 7. Sri Tarakeswar Mandir Mountain Top of New Kampo Street 8. Sri Balunkeswar Mandir Sanskrit College of Parlakhemundi 9. Sri Chandra Sekhar Mandir Hattapada Street 10. Sri Mallikarjuneswar Back Side of Royal Dababada

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11. Sri Dhabaleswar Sita Sagar Road 12. Sri Kashi Bisweswar Dolo Tank Road Street 13. Sri Pancha Lingeswar Bank of the Mahendra Tanaya River 14. Sri Nilakantheswar Hospital Road 15. Sri Bhusandheswar Karan Street 16. Sri Lingeswar Ramsagar 17. Sri Markateswar Katalkaitha 18. Sri Neelakantheswar Machamara 19. Sri Dharma Lingeswar Gurandi 20. Sri Aradha Narieswar Road Devotees in large numbers gather around in almost Siva temples during the famous religious festivals like Maha Sivaratri and the days of Sankranti and every Monday these temples are crowded. Similarly numerous Shakti Peethas are there in Parlakhemundi. These are described below29 : Sl. No. Shakti Peethas Locations in Parlakhemundi 1. Manikeswari Mandir Anka Street 2. Grama Devi Nilamma Mandir S.K.C.G. College Road 3. Ghatagan Tarini Railway Station 4. Santoshi Maa Indira Nagar 5. Neelima Thakurani Telephone Bhawan 6. Baithakurani Katika Street 7. Mahisasura Mardini Mediri Street 8. Arnapurnaeswari Palace Street 9. Parvati Mandir Palace Street 10. Sarva Mangala Gouri Palace Street 11. Parvati Mandir New Kampo Street 12. Kanak Durga Mandir Kandura Street 13. Chamundeswari Hatibadi Street 14. Maa Kali Mandir Sanskrit College Road 15. Maa Santoshi Mandir Sanskrit College Road 16. Kamakshi Durga Kashinagar Road 17. Mritulumma Oriya Sundhi Street 18. Kureisuni Oriya Bhandari Street 19. Sitallamma Oriya Dhoba Street 20. Phula Sundari Samuntia Street

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21. Mukkatoamma Kumbhara Street 22. Maa Bhogeswari Medical Road 23. Maa Laxmi Mandir Nehru Nagar Street 24. Sri Tara Tarini Mandir Biswanath Nagar 25. Makka Totamma Thakurani Biswanath Nagar 26. Maa Saraswati Palace Street

SIVA CULT IN PARLAKHEMUNDI it is clear that the people of this area worshipped Siva Worship or Saivism is an important Siva linga. Under the royal patronage of Ganga and popular religious faith in Parlakhemundi and rulers Saivism gained a notable triumph and it its surrounding areas. The numerous Siva temples spread every nook and corner of Parlakhemundi mentioned above testify the deep rooted faith of and surrounding villages. Hiuen Tsang the Chinese its inhabitants towards Saivism while Mahendra Pilgrim who visited ancient Kalinga or Kie-ling- mountain is seat of ancient Siva temples, the plain kia, part of Parlakhemundi records that there were area of Parlakhemundi is dotted with a good ten Buddhist Monasteries and one hundred deva number of Siva lingas, and Siva temples and Siva temples of which highest numbers were Siva 35 Parvati temples30. Lord Siva is named differently temples . and worshipped here. He is the most influential There are numerous Siva temples in the God of . His different names like heart of the town Parlakhemundi. Some of these Dereswar, Maheswar, Mahadeva, temples are the Ekamra Savara temple36. Like Mahadevadhideva prove that He is the Supreme the Harappans who had worshipped ‘Linga’ and God. He is also called Pasupati means Lord of ‘yoni’, the people of Parlakhemundi worshipped all creatures. The Harappan people worshipped Linga37. It is the universal symbol of Siva Lord Pasupatinath Who was sitting on posture worship. of Yogi. The Vedic people had firm faith on the 38 nature and natural objects. They also believed The Skand Puran nicely narrates the Rudra31. Parlakhemundi is part and parcel of origin of Siva linga worship. Once Lord Siva went ancient Kalinga, that was inhabited by the tribal for begging alms in a naked style. Seeing Him for aborigines called as Atavikas or Forest Duruvan the wife of Rishi fell in love with Him. dwellers. They worshipped Siva32. Similarly the There upon the Rishi cursed Him that His linga early medieval inscriptions of Odisha throw the would fall down on the soil. But later on the Rishi light the Pulindas the Savaras, and the Kiratas realized his mistake and said that the fallen linga resided in the Mahendragiri mountain ranges were should be worshipped. Since then people started the worshippers of Siva. Mukhalingam, centre of worshipping linga. Siva Puran describes that Saivism, the capital of Kalinganar located just Daksha Prajapati, the father of Parvati organized twenty kilometers from Parlakhemundi33. The a sacred Yagnya, but Siva was not invited. Parvati, Dharmalingeswar temple is there near Gurandi the wife of Siva couldn’t tolerate her father’s twenty kms. away from Parlakhemundi. Here Dr. insulting behavior and sacrificed Herself jumping S.N.Rajguru, the great Ganga historian into the scared fire. Lord Siva couldn’t tolerate discovered a copper plate in 191734. From this and became terribly angry, started tandava

15 Odisha Review September - October - 2014 dance39. In the meantime His skin cloth dropped old observe the festival, remain fasting or without from His body and He became naked. In order sleep until the Mahadip44 or great lamp is raised to control Him, Parvati’s mother, the wife of to summit of the shrines. In this day all the Siva Dakshya Prajapati cursed Him to be worshipped temples are filled with devotees. The Saiva shrines in the form of Linga. Bull Nandi is the mount or of Parlakhemundi have great impact on socio- Vahana of Lord Siva. He is found in front of the economic and religious life of the people of this Lord Siva as waiting for His order. Trident or area. 40 Trishul is the special weapon of Lord Siva . SHAKTI CULT In almost all the Siva temples some The origin of Shakti worship is shrouded legends are closely connected with the in mystery. If the pages of history are to be opened appearance of the deity. Sri Chandra Sekhar Siva one can find the Indus valley people and the Vedic temple is located near the Parlakhemundi people worshipped mother goddess, which was Government Hospital. Chandra Sekhar41 is the symbol of Shakti. Every ancient culture is full ‘moon crested image of Lord Siva. The image of of examples of worship of Shakti devis45. The Chandra Sekhar must possess broad face and people of Greece were worshipping Goddess eyes and benign loving countenance. It possesses Athena, the presiding deity of the war. Artemes the pose of Abhaya in one of the front hands and was the deity of hunting and fertility. Aphordite Varada in the otherhand. Coral and the crescent was the deity of love and beauty. Diana was the of the moon adorns his head as jewel. Roman deity of nature. Lsis and hathor were The Panchalingeswar temple is located the female deities of Egypt. The deity Hathor46 on the bank of the river Mahendratanaya, very was worshipped in cowshaped woman. In the close to Parlakhemundi. There are six temples same way in the historical and sacred soil of and one is the Mata Parvati temple. The temple Parlakhemundi the practice of worship of Shakti of Lord Nilakantheswar stands in the middle is prevalent in the nook and corner of the region with four Siva temples. The Lord and is reflected in every ritual and ceremonies, Nilakantheswar was regarded as an important both religious and social. deity of the Ganga family of Parlakhemundi. The entrance gate or Mukhasala of the temple was The true meaning of Shakti is power or built by Paralaraja Gajapati Narayan Dev in 1791 energy. It is formless, omnipresence and pre- existed creation that moves everything animate A.D42. The outer walls of the entrance are magnificiently decorated with Vigrahas. and inanimate, seen, felt and imaginary. This infinite energy as the basis of life and creation has been Ramalingeswar temple is located at endorsed by the Vedic seens. The Purans hold B.Sitapur or Brahmin Sitapur. It was built on the the Shakti in the highest esteem even above the opposite site of Ramsagar Tank43. Ramlingeswar Trioheds Brahma Vishnu and Maheswar. Shakti Siva Temple was built by the royal family of is worshipped in a number of ways like Kalimata, Parlakhemundi. There are also Ganesh, Parvati representing power and killer of evils, Durga and Karttikeya temples inside the same campus. representing the benevolent aspect, Saraswati Siva Ratra or Jagara is one of the representing learning and wisdom, Dhana Laxmi, important Saiva festivals of Parlakhemundi. In Bhagya Laxmi and Vijaya Laxmi representing this day almost all the men, women, young and wealth, fortune and victory47.

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The ancient literature like Vedas, has been worshipped here. Another legend Upanishadas, and the regional literature reflects that goddess Manikeswari was the family are replete with the description of Shaktis in deity of the Gajapati kings of Puri. Purushottam numerous forms and their rise and spread in the Dev during his Kanchi expedition sought help from country. For example the rise and popularity of his step brothern Narasihma Dev at the Command mother goddess Santoshi, Amma Bhagaban, of Manikeswari in dream. Other legends say that Gayatri, etc. are of recent origin of 21st Century48. the goddess Manikeswari was an aboriginal origin. The worship of Shakti is the primordial The deity was worshipped by a tribal king named factor in the creation and reproduction of the Savaradaitya. The Gajapati king defeated him in universe, occupies a unique position in the religious the war and killed in the battle and brought the systems of Parlakhemundi. Originated directly goddess and worshipped Her as family deity. from the primitive mother Goddess the Shakti Cult Buffalo sacrifice was offered to the goddess gradually crept into the main stream of religions Manikeswari in the past by the Gajapati King in and the indigenous tribal faiths. No other religion time of Durga Pooja or Dussehra53. can claim to have continuous and colourful history Other Shakti Matas are Khambeswari, right from the Indus Valley civilization with rich Banadurga, Kandhuni Devi, Duarasuni, sources of mythology, tantras, and numerous Limesuni, Patrasaurini, Polkasuni. 49 manifestations as Shaktism . Sarvamangal Gouri, Bhabani, Parvati are also Saivism and Shaktism, the two schools worshipped here with Lord Siva. Parvati, the of Tantra metaphysics, were the official religions consort of Siva is invariably depicted as a of the non-Aryans of the Indus Valley Civilization. Parswadevata in the Shiva Temple. She is a Siva and Shakti, the dual deities symbolizing the Parivara Devata benevolent by nature. Women two schools, were their principal divine beings devotees pray Parvati to make strong their bangles and worshipped50. that indirectly pray to keep their husbands free In Parlakhemundi, mother Goddess or from any danger or pre-mature death. They also Matru Devi or Shakti Mata is being worshipped offer red sindur, kumkum, red saree, red bangles in Her various forms and various names such as to Parvati Mata. Manikeswari, Maa Kali, Parvati, Saraswati, Maa Laxmi is also worshipped in certain Thakurani, Santoshi Maa, Amma Bhagaban, etc. temples of Parlakhemundi, most especially in Manikeswari was the family deity of Jagannath Temple in Sri Ramalingeswar Temple Gajapati kings of Parlakhemundi. According to a at Palace Street. Laxmi, the goddess of wealth is legend, the deity was worshipped by a Tantric an important form of Shakti54, She exerts an saint who had no children. He had adopted a exulted position in the Brahminical pantheon. She daughter. Then the goddess was at Vijayanagar, is an auspicious symbol depicted in the under the control of Gajapati Kings51. Once the Lalatabimba of Hindu temples. She flourished king of Parlakhemundi was deeply attracted and as the consort of Vishnu. She is being bathed by by the beauty of the girl. The saint weded four large elephants who pour jars of nectar over his adopted daughter with the Parala king and Her. In Her four hands she holds two lotuses and presented the deity Manikeswari as dowry with makes the signs of granting boons and giving her daughter. Since then the goddess Manikeswari assurance. She wears a resplendent crown and a

17 Odisha Review September - October - 2014 silk dress. She sits on red lotus. The close economic religious life of the people is profound. association of the goddess Laxmi with lotus is met At the same time the Siva Shakti festivals are in the Srisukta, though the conception is from Pre- observed here with pomp and grandeur. Aryan period. As She loves lotus or Padma, References : She is also called ‘Padmini’, ‘Padmalaya’ ‘Padmakshi’, ‘Padmapriya’. Lotus is related 1. Cf. T.V.B. Rao, “Folk Culture” in : Cultural to life and fertiity55. It suggests spiritual purity Heritage of Gajapati, Bhubaneswar, 2007, p.341. and power. Lotus seat or Padmasana suggest 2. S.N.Rajguru, Orissa Itihas (Oriya), Bhubaneswar, for healthy position, one needs to do it. The pp.35-36. performance of the symbols namely lotus and the 3. Ibid, p.36 elephants over an astonishingly greater period in 4. S.N.Rajguru, History of Gangas, Part-II, history and Laxmi Worship in Parlakhemundi like Bhubaneswar, 1972, p.114. other places is indeed astounding. In the month 5. Ibid. of margasira, every rich and poor irrespective of caste, creed and sex worship Maa Laxmi for 6. Ibid, p.131. prosperous life. 7. N.P.Panigrahi, “Temples & Tree Cult in ” in : Journals of Indian History and Maa Saraswati also called Veenapani, Culture, Chennai, 2007, pp.68 – 69. the goddess of Learning56 occupies a unique position among the Sakta goddesses of 8. S.N.Rajguru, History of Gangas, Part-II, Bhubaneswar, 1972, p.116. Parlakhemundi. According to David Kinsely, goddess Saraswati is one of the few important 9. A.K.Rath, Studies on Some aspects of the History goddesses in the Vedas. She is popular not only and Culture of Orissa, Kolkota, 1987, pp.180- 182. as a Hindu goddess, but also popular with the Jains and the Buddhists57. The word ‘Saraswati’ 10. P.Ch. Mohapatro (Ed.) Parlakhemundi Itihas (in is derived from two words such as Sara and Vati Oriya) Bhubaneswar, p.150. which means “one possessing a vast sheet of 11. Ibid, pp.183-185. water”. Maa Saraswati is variously known and 12. Ibid. worshipped in Parlakhemundi as Veenapani, 13. Ibid. Bagdevi, Bani, Bharati, etc. The Martyapuran and the Vayu Puran describe Saraswati as 14. S.N.Rajguru, History of Gangas, Part-I, Orissa Biswarupa who was born from the mouth of State Museum, Bhubaneswar, 1968, p.45. Paramaatma58. In the Vayu Puran, She is 15. S.N.Rajguru, Inscription of Orissa, Vol.I, described as the daughter of Brahma, the Bhubaneswar, 1968, p.92. Supreme Creator. Like Laxmi, Saraswati is being 16. B.N.Mallick, “The Temples of Gajapati” in : worshipped in Parlakhemundi associated with Cultural Heritage of Gajapati, Bhubaneswar, many male deities like Brahma, Ganesh. Goddess 2007, p.247. Saraswati is also regarded as Shakti of Siva as 17. Ibid. 59 in the Tantrasara . Now she is worshipped as 18. D.C.Panda, Kalingar Mandeer Sthapatya, a goddess of speech, learning and the fine arts. Bhubaneswar, 1979, p.189. Thus, the Siva Shakti cult of 19. B.Panda (Ed.) Utkalara Prachinakirtti, Parlakhemundi and its impact on the socio- Berhampur, 1998, p.86.

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20. Ibid, p.87. 42. L.N.Rath, Op.cit, pp.75-80. 21. R.P.Mohapatro, Archaeology in Orissa, Vol.I, 43. Ibid. Delhi, 1986, pp.230-231. 44. R.K.Bishoyi, Op.cit., p.268. 22. B.Panda (ed.) Juge Juge Mahendragiri (in Oriya) Berhampur, 1996, p.198. 45. M.Padhy, “The Cult of Shaktism” in Proceedings 23. K.S.Behera, Temples of Orissa, Bhubaneswar, of South Indian History Congress, Rajpalayam, 1993, p.15. 2007, p.526. 24. Ibid. 46. Ibid. 25. R.C.Misro & B.Subudhi, “Antiquarian Remains 47. J.Marshal, Mohenjodaro and the Indus Valley on the summit of Mahendragiri” A Study in Civilization, London, 1931, p.676. Smaranika, Parlakhemundi, 2006, pp.138-139. 48. M.K.Samal, “Shaktism” in : The Cultural Heritage 26. B.N.Mallick, Op.cit., p.248. of Gajapati, Bhubaneswar, 2007, p.272. 27. R.C.Misro & B.Subudhi, Op.cit. p.138. 49. Cf. H.C.Das, Sakta Pitha : A Study, Bhubaneswar, 28. L.N.Rath, Paralara Aitihya Mandir, Matha, 1999, pp.1-4. Mela, Khola, Mandap in Smaranika, 50. J.Marshal, Op.cit., p.77. Parlakhemundi, 2010, pp.75-80. 51. B.N.Mallick, Op.cit, p.252. 29. Ibid. 52. Ibid, pp.252-253. 30. R.K.Bishoyi, ‘Saivism’ in : Cultural Heritage of Gajapati, Bhubaneswar, 2007, p.258. 53. Ibid. 31. J.N. Banerjee, The Development of Hindu 54. K.K.Thaplyar, “Gajalaxmi on Seats” in : the Iconography, Kolkota, 1956, p.446. Historical Proceedings of History & Culture, Kolkota, 1969, p.124. 32. Ibid. 55. Ibid, p.128. 33. P.Ch.Mohapatro, Op.Cit., p.26. 56. R.L.Mitra, Antiquities of Orissa, New Delhi, 1984, 34. Ibid, p.27 p.234. 35. Ibid. 57. Ibid. 36. S.N.Patra, Mahendragiri : The Pride of the 58. R.P.Mohapatro, Op Cit., pp.68-169. , Bhubaneswar, 1995, p.76. . 37. Ibid. 59. Ibid. 38. R.K.Bishoyi, Op.Cit., p.258. 39. Ibid, 265 40. Ibid, 266. 41. Cf. A.Mahalingam, “Siva Temples : An Art Historical Study” in : Proceedings of South Dr. N.P.Panigrahi, S/o. Sri K.B.Panigrahi, At. Gopini History Congress, Rajpalayam, 2007, p.591. Street, PS. Parlakhemundi – 761 200, Dist. Gajapati.

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