ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review Abstract Jagatsinghpur. A critical and analytical survey of It is persistently presumed that, there are the Prachi valley reveals that, there enlisted two about 33 crores of Gods and Goddesses in unique features on the confluence of Prachi river Hinduism. These Gods and Goddesses are valleys viz. (i) Prachi Valley was the amalgamation broadly divided into three. They are Vaishnava, of diverse monuments of several sects like Saiva and Shakta. Among them Lord (1) Saivism, (2) Vaishnavism, (3) Shakta/Sakta, Nilamadhava belongs to the Vaishnava category. (4) Buddhist and (5) Jaina. We observe such an The cult of Vaishnavism got immense popularity amalgamation nowhereelse of the State of during the early medieval period, commencing Odisha. (2) The second unique feature of the from the 4th century A.D. till the close of the 14th Prachi Valley is the existence of “Dwadasha century A.D. However, we observe that, the Madhava” on the confluence of Prachi river, which worship of Lord Nilamadhava or the “Madhava is the content of our study. Upasana” was very much popular in the four river In brief the “Cultural Culmination” on the valleys of Odisha like (1) Mahanadi, (2) Baitarani, confluence of Prachi as well as the existence of Madhava Worship in The Prachi Valley Manas Chandra Behera (3) Rushikulya and (4) Prachi valley. Out of the “Dwadasha Madhava” on the Prachi Upatyaka four river valleys, the worship of Lord or on the Prachi Valley are two proximate features Nilamadhava on the Prachi valley is a significant and findings of the study at the present parlance. study in the history of Vaishnavism in Odisha, The State of Odisha, has possessed because of its antiquity, spiritual spell and religious numerous geographical tracts endowed with ritualistic fanfare. multifarious monuments. These monuments seem The Prachi, a small river of over 60 Kms. to be evident on multifaceted river valleys like in length with a catchment area of around 600 (1) The Mahanadi (2) Baitarani (3) Rushikulya sq.km., a part of the Mahanadi delta in Odisha, and (4) The Prachi River Valley. The Prachi River along the eastern cost of India is an important Valley is one of them, where, a large number of topographical as well as cultural landscape. monuments of various religious sects have However, the Prachi river valley comprehends survived, the vagaries of time and nature over several parts of the modern day four districts of centuries. Because, it is universally accepted that Odisha Viz., Puri, Khurda, Cuttack and the river valleys have supported mankind for the 138 JUNE-JULY - 2018 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 flourish and facilitation of culture, since the To the south of Kuakhai, the Prachi is inception or dawn of civilization. Having known as the Gambhariganda. Near Bhingarpur, recognised, the importance of the rivers, the Prachi in the name of Sola river, flows down primitive people started their settlements on the Govindaramapatna. The Sola river is connected river banks with a view to avail all sorts of possible with Devi river, the lower course of Kathajodi advantages. However, the rivers have supported and two streamlets called the Banrei, and the and sustained the life and living of mankind. All Kaliaghai. After a long coverage, it passes through the great civilizations of the world have started the village Kakatpur and falls into the Bay of and flourished on the river valleys. Instances may Bengal. be cited that, (1) The Aryan (Sindh river), On the confluence of the Prachi Valley (2) Egyptian civilization (Nile River), the famous Puranic Tourist places and different (3) Mesopotamia (Tigris and Euphratis), temples have been existed since the time (4) Chinese (Hoyang-Ho/Hwang-Ho), immemorial. Dandakaranya which is depicted in (5) American (Amazon, Missori, Missosipi river); detail in Mahabharata, has commenced from its had flourished fantastically. Likewise, the Prachi bank (the Prachi Valley). The village Niali is civilization was one of the glorious civilizations of situated on the river bank of Prachi. There is a Odisha, flourished on the river bank of Prachi. place called Pandaba Tirtha. There is the However, the river has been flowing through the organization, of a great Local / Fair / Mela on the coastal Odisha and it has contributed a lot to the day of “Makara Sukla Ekadashi at Pandava Tirtha long tradition of cultural excellence of Odisha. each year. Then on the river bank of Prachi there History reveals that, the Prachi Valley has played is the location of a village called Tulashipur. Near a significant role to create a colourful identity for Odisha. We cannot imagine, about the greatness Tulashipur there is also a small village called of such a splendid civilization without thorough Chaurasi. In that small village Chaurasi the portion observation else thorough investigation as well. of decay and decomposition is persistently Though, small in size, as compared to big rivers observed and it is speculated that, ‘Chaurasi’ and of Odisha, like Mahanadi, Brahmani, Birupa, its adjoining territories were identified with Toshali Buddhabalanga, Subarnarekha etc., it contains the the old capital of the antique Utkala. hidden treasure of a magnificent past. Originated All the great civilizations of the world have from the river Kuakhai, and covering started and flourished n the river valleys. Hence, approximately 48 Kilometers, it falls into the sea, the State of Odisha is no exception to this. The near Keutajanga village of Kakatpur Police river Prachi which has been flowing through the Station. Coastal Odisha, has contributed significantly to But accordingly to Dr. A. Das the Prachi the long tradition of cultural excellence of Odisha Valley roughly spreads over an area of 600 Kms. History reveals that, the Prachi Valley has played The river Prachi presently flows from a jora, near an important role to create a colourful identity for Phulnakhara, flowing about a distance of 60 Kms. Odisha. It meets the Bay of Bengal through several mouths Prachi is considered as one of the most between Kalikanagara, in north to Ramchandi in sacred rivers of Odisha. From the etymological Puri district. point of view Prachi means east. The name Prachi JUNE-JULY - 2018 139 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review might have been given likewise, as the river flows The worship of Lord Nila Madhava towards the east direction. Due to its divine seems to be evident since the prevalent of sanctity the people of Odisha named it after Vaishnavism in Odisha. However, Vaishnavism “Prachi Saraswati.” The word Prachi Saraswati had influenced the history and culture of Odisha is corroborated by Kapila Samhita. However, the in many ways. The worship of Vishnu in various Puranas written in Odia like Brahma Purana, forms like Nrusimha, Varaha, Jagannath, Prachi Mahatmya, (authored by Dwija Trilochan) Gopinath, etc. has been found in the divergent and Prachi Mahatmya (Sanskrit) and others places of Odisha. Madhava cult is a unique feature authenticated the nomenclature. of Vishnu worship in Odisha. Hence, a humble The river Prachi has been flowing attempt has been accomplished to trace the origin throughout the coastal plains, on the eastern parts and growth of Madhava cult in Odisha. of Odisha covering the area between the present Although it is difficult to trace out the origin district of Cuttack, Khurda and Puri. Being one of Vaishnavism in Odisha, yet it can be persistently of the most important branches of the Mahanadi presumed that, Vaishnavism was prevalent in it drains out the water into the Bay of Bengal. Odisha during Ashoka’s Kalinga war and also Archaeological remains in the shape of temples, during Kharavela’s reign. With Samudragupta’s sculptures, ruined forts and mathas are found on invasion of Odisha, Vaishnavism gained both sides of the river valley. Mythology and momentum in this land. The Matharas of Kalinga archaeological remains of the Prachi Valley who rose into power in the middle of the 4th constitute the primary source of the study. The archaeological remains are further classified into Century A.D. championed the cause of three categories like (1) Monuments Vaishnavism in Odisha. The rulers of this dynasty (2) Inscriptions and (3) Stray sculptures. Besides, assumed the title Paramabhagavata and also they the depiction on the temple walls, the doorjambs worshipped Narayana. are also found. During the rule of the Sailodbhavas, Origin/Worship of Madhava/Nila Madhava:- Madhava worship was prevalent in Odisha. The Guptas were the champions of Vaishnavism. Because, the rulers of this dynasty bore the title But according to some historians, the Madhava Madhavaraja, God/Lord Madhava is described cult originally started to develop in “Kangoda by Madhava Varman of this dynasty as a God Mandala” which expanded from Mahanadi to having a disc (Chakra) in his right hand. From 5th Krishna Veni/Valley comprising Bhubaneswar, Century onwards Madhava cult in Odisha got Phulbani, some regions on the Bay of Bengal and immense popularity and grew its glory. Among Mahendragiri (hills). The Mahendragiri or the them, the notable temples were the Nilamadhava Mahendra hills was the original place of Madhava of Kantilo, the Madhava of Niali, twelve images cult. of Madhava near Kapileswar temple, Madhava But most of the historians cite that, Kantilo image in Amareswar Temple, Madhava image in is the abode of Lord Nila Madhava, as the Nilakanthapur near Kakatpur etc. Madhava cult had a widespread popularity on In Viraja Mahatmya mention has been the Mahanadi Valley since the inception of the made regarding worship of twelve Madhavas origin of the Universe. namely- (1) Adimadhava (2) Ananta Madhava 140 JUNE-JULY - 2018 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 (3) Bhoga Madhava (4) Champaka Madhava According to Hindu mythology Madhava (5) Sudarshan Madhava (6) Vasudeva Madhava is one of the manifestations of Lord Vishnu, (7) Gobinda Madhava (8) Rama Madhava although Vishnu has one thousand significant (9) Prasanna Madhava (10) Purusottama names of praise, but out of them, twenty four are Madhava (11) Janardana Madhava considered to be the most important names and (12) Narakantak Madhava.