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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 . 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 . 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 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 , 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

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(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. these names are daily recited by the Brahmins/ Although Madhava cult gained Brahmans, Vaishnabs, in their daily prayer. These momentum in the Prachi Valley from the beginning twenty four manifestations are quite alike in their but later on it was shifted to Viraja Kshetra. The iconographic features; i.e. they are all standing Hamsesvara Temple at Jajpur records the figures, with no bends in the body, possessing construction of Madhaveswar Temple by four arms, and adorned with Kirata (Crown/ Madhavi Devi, the queen of Subhakaradeva-I. Mukuta/Kirati) and other usual ornaments; each A survey of the Prachi Valley reveals an incredible of them stands upon a Padmasana. The difference and splendid existence of diverse monuments of between any two of these images can be identified several sects like- Saivism, Vaishnavism, Sakta, with the way in which the Sankha, the Chakra, Buddhist and Jain but also the establishment of the Gada and the Padma are found distributed in the numerous monasteries locally known as the their four hands. Mathas. The Rupamandana furnishes the twenty Traditions confirmed by the local four names of Vishnu and corresponding chronicles reveal that, most of the monuments of arrangements of four ayudhas in the four hands in Prachi Valley which are now in all stages of decay each case. In case of Madhava deity he mentions were constructed during circa 7th century to circa that, the manifestation of Madhava holds Chakra 15th century A.D. The greatness of these religious in his back right hand, Sankha in his back left edifices were left to decay with time and most of hand, Padma in his front left hand and Gada in his them are ruined today. Many splendid monuments front right hand. which have been attracting and keeping the public According to the Archaeological sources attention since their foundation have remained it is explicitly evident that, the Matharas were the places of worship. Among them the Madhava contemporary of the Guptas. worship got immense popularity during the early The river Prachi has preserved a large medieval period. number of Madhava monuments, which testifies A systematic study of the Prachi Valley the Vaishnava sculptures evolved through it means, shows that, major Indian religions like Buddhism, the Prachi Valley which had witnessed the rise Jainism, Saivism, Saktism and Vaishnavism grew spread and amalgamation of important religions, chronologically without attacking the religious as was also the center of Madhava worship in well as the philosophical sentiments of the people Odisha. The facilitation of worship of Dwadas of those days. The worship of Madhava, one of Sambhu (12 Siva temples) and Dwadasa the twenty four manifestations of Lord Vishnu in Madhava (12 Vishnu temples) attested by the Prachi Valley is very common and it had immense archaeological evidences, is still prevalent in the influence on that region. sacred valley of Prachi.

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A brief Account about the Dwadasa Madhava centrally positioned. According to the historians and several other images are as follow : the was built in 1780 A.D. In Kapileswar Temple:- The first among the course of time the Madhava temple was broken Dwadasa Madhava is seen in the premises of the down. Eight such beautiful images of Madhava, Kapileswar Temple. The temple is no longer in and one image of Vishnu are kept in the compound existence, but the image is kept in a pitiable of Sovaneswar temple at Niali. Besides, the condition in the Gokarneswar temple. following sites of Prachi Valley contain the images of Madhava. Triveni Madhava:- Triveni Madhava is worshipped at the confluence of Triveni near Lalita Madhava at Chahata:- By the side of Vileswar Temple. This place is popularly known Nimapara-Astaranga road, Chahata is a nearby as Manikarnika Tirtha and is sanctified by Triveni village; situated in close proximity of the Laxmi Madhava. Here, the Madhava image is Narayana and Varahi temple at Chaurasi, worshipped with Lakshmi. Chaurasi and Chahata are the adjacent villages located on the bank of the river Lalita, a branch Niali- Niali is famous for Sovaneswar Temple of the Prachi. At the end of the village on the bank and Madhava Temple. It is about 50 Kms. far of Lalita, a beautiful image of Vishnu is from Bhubaneswar. It is a pitha of Hari-Hara cult. worshipped under a big banyan tree. The image It is only 20 Kms. far from Pulanakhara-Kakatpur is about 4’6" in height and 2’9" in width road. Niali is situated on the river bank of Prachi. respectively, made of fine chlorite stone. Although The place is famous for Brahma temple, which is remaining under a banyan tree in the open air and rare in other parts of Odisha. However, Niali is also known for being the great center of open sunlight the glaze of the image has not been Vaishnavism in the temple complex of tarnished. As per version of the local people, due Sobhaneswar. Ten images of Vishnu are found. to lack of adequate property, in the name of God The local people regard these Vishnu images as Vishnu, the tradition of Seva Puja is not being Madhava. Rupamandana describes the images (as done systematically. Madhava) having Chakra in the right upper hand, Vishnu Image at Mudgala Village:- Village Sankha in the left upper hand, Gada in the left Mudgala is famous for worship of Mudgala lower hand and Padma in the right lower hand. Madhava or Mudgala Rishi. The village is known Among the 10 images of Vishnu a for three varieties of Vishnu images i.e. beautiful image of Vishnu measuring about 4’6" x (a) Mudgala Madhava, (b) Nilamadhava 2’8" in height and width respectively worshipped (c) Madhavananda. Mudgala Madhava and as Madhava, is worthy to note. Here Vishnu is in Nilamadhava are kept in a dilapidated brick the Stanakasana position attributed with Chakra, temple which is broken down to the Jangha Sankha, Gada and Padma in four hands. The portion. The Mukhasala is levelled to the ground. image slab is a single piece of black-chlorite stone. The temple style and the navagraha panel Here Vishnu stands on a double lotus pedestal symbolise it to the early group of temple. The and other four small double lotus pedestals are presiding deity of the temple is Mudgala Madhava attached to the main lotus pedestal which is or Mudgala Rishi.

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Nilamadhava at Mudgala:- Nilamadhava is famous Siva and Laxmi-Nrusimha temple. kept near the entrance of the same temple at However, the presiding deity here is Laxmi- Mudgala Madhava. The original temple of Nrusimha. In the same compound, the image of Nilamadhava might have collapsed. So the local Vishnu about 4’9" x 2’8" in height and width people have kept the image of Nilamadhava inside respectively is also worshipped as Madhava. the dilapidated temple of Mudgala. Vishnu Image inside the Temple of The temple of Nilamadhava at Mudgala Kakatpur:- Two Vishnu images in standing measuring about 4’6" x 2’8" in the length and position are worshipped in the temple complex breadth respectively is so charming and also of Mangala Temple at Kakatpur. The images of dazzling that, one cannot believe unless visits the Vishnu are locally worshipped as Madhava. site. The image is made of fine blue chlorite stone. Madhava at Nivarana:- The four-handed No damage to the temple has been done. image of Vishnu measuring about 4’6" x 2’7" in Sridevi and Bhudevi are standing by the length and width respectively is worshipped inside side of the image. The image is so clear that it the temple complex Nivarana. In other words we needs no clarification. It looks similar to the grant can say that the Madhava image is worshipped in of Vishnu images, placed in the Sobhaneswar the miniature temple inside the compound of temple at Niali and Nilamadhava at Chahata Gramesvara temple of Nivarana. which is determined to be the product of Natabu Madhava:- The four-handed standing Somavamsi ruler Jajati I, during the 10th century image of Vishnu who is locally worshipped as A.D. According to the iconographic description, Madhava has been kept inside the precinct of the Vishnu image can be placed in the Janardana Rameswara Siva temple at Natabu. The image is group of Vishnu. But the local people worship about 4’8" height and 2’6" width. The image the image as Nilamadhava. stands in a pedestal depicting five double bloomed Madhavananda:- Village Mudgala is known as lotuses. The lotus in the center is relatively bigger one of the most prominent sites where another having eight petals. The other four double lotuses Vishnu image in the name of Madhavananda is carry three petals each. Below the main lotus on worshipped in a small dilapidated temple. The which the Vishnu image is set, two sets of lotuses image is beautifully carved of chlorite stones. with long stalks have been projected on either Madhavananda is a four-handed image of side of the image. Five numbers of devotees with Janardana group of Vishnu measuring about 5’1" folded hands kneel down below the lotus pedestal. x 2’9" in height and width respectively. The image Slight mutilation has been marked on the eyes and nose of the image. The head is covered with a has some iconographic resemblance with the image cylindrical mukta, finely decorated with double of Narayana inside the compound of Lord layered truncated hole. On the left side of the Jagannath at Puri. The artistic touch on the icon image four-handed Brahma sits near his left of Vishnu is presumed to be a product of Ganga shoulder in contemplation. Siva sits in the same rule in the 13th century. position on the right side having a trident attached Amareswar Madhava at Amareswara:- The to the left shoulder of Siva. To the left and right village Amareswar is close to Kakatpur. It is upper side of the image the projection of two

JUNE-JULY - 2018 143 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review female devotees in kneeling position, two- Siva temple at Nasikeswara; all these images attendants bearing the drums on each side also provide us a tremendous testimony of Madhava are visible on the slab. cult which is now widely popular and prevalent in A brief summary of Prachi Madhava Cult:- the Prachi Valley. The popularity of Madhava worship got Besides the Madhava worship on the immense impetus in the divergent places of Prachi Prachi Valley the Madhava cult obtained immense Valley which follows an abridgment as follows:- popularity in several places of Odisha. Nilamadhava temple at Gandharadi (Boudh), Two Vishnu images are affixed inside the Nilamadhava at Kantilo (Nayagarh), Jagamohana of the Brahma temple at Niali. Then Lokamadhava image in the village Arali located the Madhava image is kept under tree at in the bank of Mahendra Tanaya of Korakora. The unique Madhava image Paralakhemundi (Gajapati) and Dwadas worshipped as Lalita Madhava is found at Madhava in Birajakshetra (Jajpur) are the glaring Chahata. We can find two Vishnu images kept instances of Madhava cult in Odisha. inside the Jagamohana of Amaresvara temple at Amaresvara. We can see two beautiful images The names of Dwadasa Madhava are worshipped inside a thatched room at Pitapara, mentioned in the Viraja Mahatmya. However, it then the Vishnu image is also kept inside the is a manuscript preserved in the Odisha State Natamandira of Ramesvara temple at Suhagpur. museum. The names of Dwadasa Madhava of Madhava image is also worshipped in the Viraja Kshetra is something different from the miniature temple inside the compound of names of the Madhava images of the Prachi Gramesvara temple at Nivarana. The image Valley. The Dwadasa Madhavas are:- (1) Adi, worshipped inside a renovated temple as Nila- (2) Ananta, (3) Bhaga, (4) Champak, Madhava at Nilakanthapur is popular instance of (5) Govinda, (6) Janardana, (7) Narakantak, Madhava worship. There is also the Madhava (8) Prasana, (9) Purushottam, (10) Rama, image inside the temple compound of the mandap (11) Sudarsana, (12) Vasudeva. at Kakatpur. Madhava images are also found Though the sites and archaeological inside the Jagamohana of Gramesvara Siva remains of Viraja Kshetra have been surveyed, Temple at Lataharana. We can observe Mudgala but no trace of Madhava sculpture have been Madhava in the village Mudgala; then the images found there. It is expected that, due to frequent inside the Jagamohana of Somesvara template at Muslim attacks the shrines of Madhava might have Somesvara. The image inside the Visvanatha been dashed into pieces alongwith other temples temple of Krishnaprasad, the Vishnu image at of the Kshetra. Kenduli (the birth place of the noted Sanskrit poet Sri Jayadev), Madhava image at Adaspur, So far as the Madhava cult is concerned Madhava deity inside the Gokarneswar temple a precious work has been edited and compiled at Kantapara, Madhava in the village Bolara, by Sri Balaram Das. It was published in the year Madhava in the village Raghunathpur (P.S.- 1975. We can observe the names of Dwadasa Kakatpur), then Madhava image in the village Madhava, in that book but these names of Gambharipada, and the Vishnu image inside the Madhava are attached to the names of the

144 JUNE-JULY - 2018 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 particular places. For instance Madhava of village of Madhavas (Madhava images) were shifted to Madhava, Lalita, Madhava situated between the Sovaneswar temple. Because there was fear of river Prachi and Lalita, Bolara Madhava which is Mongol attacks. But fortunately the Mongol army situated in the village Bolara, Mudgala Madhava was defeated and the temple of Sovaneswar and in the village Mudgala, etc. There is no clear-cut the Madhava Monuments (sculptures) which were description of other Madhava images. It is kept inside the temple premises narrowly escaped supposed that, they might have been transferred from demolition. to other places due to the damage of their (5) Peoples Transferred the temple:- respective shrines. The Prachi river valley has Keeping an eye the possibility of foreign invasion witnessed the decay, decomposition and some people of the locality might have transferred deterioration of its temples. However, the or demolished the structure in order to conceal scholars, historians else researcher as well the place. presume several reasons for it. In conclusion, it can be presumed that First, the monuments were constructed Prachi Valley bear tremendous testimony of with bricks and mortars. So in course of time, the Madhava cult in Odisha, like the other three river inorganic materials met their natural decay and valleys (Mahanadi, Baitarani and Rushikulya). The decomposition. unique feature and findings of the Prachi Valley Second, the natural process of decay is was the amalgamation of Saiva, Vaishnavite and another cause of deterioration. Because, stone, Shakta cult. Simultaneously we observed that bricks and metal deteriorate due to sunshine, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism had gone precipitation, humidity and the temperature together as the monuments provide the proof of governed by the altitude, latitude, surroundings their respective greatness. But existence of the proximity to the sea etc. Third, the monuments of Madhava cult was the most unique feature of the Prachi Valley not only stood on the bank of Prachi, Prachi Valley. but also it had a close proximity to the sea etc. (3) Location nearer to sea:-The monuments of Prachi Valley not only stood on the bank of Prachi, but also it had a close proximity to the sea. So deterioration was natural. It was frequent and faster. Manas Chandra Behera, Lecturer in History, Neela (4) Foreign Invasion :- According to K.N. Madhava Mahavidyalaya, Kantilo, Nayagarh-752078, Mohapatra, the extremely beautiful eight images E-mail : [email protected].

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