Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669

The Mountain - An Eco-Heritage Tourist Destination

Dr. Sunil Kumar Patnaik Sarita Nayak

There are several mountains associated with The Eastern is divided into a northern and history, culture and civilization of any country or a southern portion, the dividing boundary is lying region. In number of such mountain peaks somewhere south of the Godavari Valley. True starting from the Himalyan Badrinath, Kedarnath mountain character is exhibited only in the northern to the Vindhyas, Sahyadri and Satpura hills ranges portion i.e. up to the Godavari Valley. The Eastern which have some element of historical footprints Ghats (North) is comprised of Maliya and which are all depicted in the Epics, , and Madgula Konda Ranges. The Kondhmal Hills are other literatures together with from their northern tip and the visible archaeological remains. Rampa Hills in the south. The Among the mountains of Kondhmal Hills have lent their , the most important is name to the Khondalite rocks the Mahendra mentioned in the which make up the peaks and great Epics and Puranas as ridges of the Maliyas, whose kulaparvatas of India. The general elevations are 900 to mountain Mahendragiri is 1,200 meter though some of located in the their summits soar higher and of Odisha in the middle of Bhima Temple the tallest is Mahendragiri which is part of which is 1501 meter high. It almost an unbroken chain of may be mentioned that the name Mahendragiri hills between the and the Godavari once extended to the whole of Eastern Ghats. rivers, but in their southern parts they occur as Archean gneisses have developed in the lower detached hills. The structural trends and litho- elevations of these hills. stratigraphy of the Archean-Early Proterozoic rocks arech-carnokite-khondalite which is one It is situated amongst the Eastern Ghats at province out of six such provinces of India. In an elevation of 1,501 metres (4,925 ft) and is one general the Eastern Ghats extends from the of the highest peaks in eastern India, only next to Mahanadi in Odisha to the Vaigai in Tamilnadu, (1762 mts) of district. It is the roughly paralleling the eastern flank of Peninsula second highest peak measuring 4923 feet and the behind the coastal tract on the . highest peak Singharaj (4976 ft) and the third

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Devagiri (4534 ft).The Eastern Ghats run as fauna of the region includes peacocks, flying detached hills, more or less parallel to the eastern squirrels, deer, elephants, various avian species coast of India with an average elevation of about (leopards). From the hill-top trekkers are 200ft. Mahendragiri is a natural wonderland and rewarded with a mesmerizing view of the is surrounded by hills and thick forest growth. The surrounding. The Eco system of the hill and the hill is situated amongst the Eastern Ghats at an undulating landscape with serpentine roads are elevation of 1,501 mt. above mean sea level with just heaven for any visitors. It has something to geo-coordinates 180 58I N and 84 0 22I.05 II E. be relaxed and rejuvenate to all kind of tourists As per the Odisha Space Application Centre the be young or old. core area could be spread over an area of 42.54 The Mountain Sq. Km. while the buffer zone has an area of 1577. 02 sq. km. The magnificent mountain Mahendragiri stands as the dosimali stone of the provinces of The major river in Odisha and Andhra the area is the Mahendra boarder in Ganjam and Tanaya, originated from the Gajapati districts of Odisha hill top of Mahendra and of Mountain and is also . characterized by the Mahendragiri is 51 kms to presence of numerous the south-west of rivers and rivulets which Brahmapur, 26 kms from empty into the the sea. It is approachable MahendraTanaya which at Tumba from Brahmapur ultimately falls into the side, at Kainpur from Vamsadhara in Andhra Yudhisthira Temple Parlakhemundi side and at Pradesh. The vegetation Jangalapadu from of the region is marked with the presence of Srikakulam side. More easiest way to ride tropical dry and wet deciduous forest range which Mahendragiri mountain is from Paralakhemundi is a home to several plants and wild animals and Dist. Headquarter which is about 50 kms enroute avian fauna. The principal rock types of the hill Narayanpur, Jiranga, Kanipur and then about 20 range are , charnokite, khondalite with kms on the undulating hill terrain to reach at the intrusive veins of chert, chalcedony, quartz of both flat land on the peak where temples of ancient crystalline and opec forms. Mahendragiri hill and past with archaeological remains available. its surrounding areas are recognized as a Mahendragiri mountain is also very close to biodiversity hot spot due to numerous medicinal Ramagiri and Gudguda waterfall. The mountain plants and other species that are found here. A is important from mythological, religious, heaven for medicinal plants, Mahendragiri Hill is historical, archaeological, ethnical, ecological and home to over 600 flowering plants. The faunal tourism points of view. It is a famous centre of diversity of the region is huge and particularly pilgrimage since time immemorial. Every-year known for being a herpetic-faunal hot spot. The during Sivaratri (Feb-March) thousands of

16 NOVEMBER - 2020 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 pilgrims from neighboring Ganjam and is discussed here, taking together the reference in Srikakulam districts usually visit and gather on the Copper Plate Charters and all the material remains peak for celebration. The local Adivasis or ethnic available in the site in recent perspective. people also gather here on that day in large Associated Traditions number. In our recent visit in March 2020 to the site, we witnessed that many people from around The Mahendra mountain has been Andhra Pradesh and Odisha throng the place, eulogized by several hymns and religious texts as particularly for ritualistic purpose in the age-old a sacred place and is the abode of Lord . traditional Parasurama kshetra. But historical The cultural assemblage of the region is also quite evidences are there which reveals the cultural rich with strong traditional values reflected in the depth of the place when nowhere temples rituals, traditions, customs, practices and ethno- constructed in entire Odishan region, there historical parallels. Mahendragiri is associated with constructed the earliest mythological stories from temple in about 6th-7th the as century CE which again Mahendra Parvata proves the historicity of (mountain). It is a Kula the place. Parvata along with Maninagesvara, Malaya, Let us have a Sahayadri, Parijata, glimpse of the traditions Shuktiman,Vindhya and and history associated as Malyavanta. The known from the mentions archaeological sources. Mahendra mountain while Due to the strategic Kunti Temple describing Parasurama’s location of the Mahendra penance. The story goes mountain, many early kingdoms were established that Parasurama, the youngest son of Jamadagni, around it for which the mountain has rich tradition, exterminated the kshatriyas from the earth referred to in copperplate grants (charters) and twenty-one times. Then he performed a sacrifice inscriptions as well as reflected in visible at Ramatirtha with Kasyapa the Upadhyaya archaeological remains that all speak a loud about (preceptor). After completion of the sacrifice, he the rich cultural legacy. Almost all erudite scholars, offered the earth as his fees to Kasyapa but starting from Pragiter, Pliny, H.C. Ray Choudhury, Kasyapa became angry and banished him to the B.C.Law and historians and archaeologists of southern seas. As a result Parasurama went to Odisha like D.K.Ganguly, R.P. Mohaptara, B.K. Mahendragiri and practiced penance and lived Ratha and some others have focused some for a long time here. It is also said that aspects of Mahendra Mountain. The mountain is was meditating on Mahendragiri so important in the cultural which when Lord broke the sacred bow of Shiva. served as an important benchmark for the study Ramayana and Mahabharata also refer this of history and and even for mountain in various contexts. The Vamana, the South-East Asia. An account of the Mahendragiri Vishnu, the Markandeya, the Agni and the

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Skanda Puranas also refer Mahendra Parvata. It This is the reminiscent of the trade of Kalinga with is in fact that no Purana is complete without South East Asian countries. mention of the Mahendra Hill. There is a tradition still believed in The Viraja Kshetra Mahatmya, or that a Naga Princess got married presents a traditional account of Odisha in to Kaundinya Brahmin and the country of connection with the killing of Gayasura by Cambodia came into existence.It is also known Vishnu.The legs of Gayasura fell at Mahendragiri. from inscriptional sources that Huen-tien Even Kalidasa in his Raghuvamsa mentions that (Kaundinya) introduced the Indian culture in king Raghu in course of his digvijaya conquered Funan. It is a fact that the Odia seafarers at some Kalinga and occupied the Mahendra as king of point of time began to trade with South East Asian Kalinga was the lord of this mountainous region. island countries around post Common Era as It is mentioned that Raghuvamsa of Kalidasa known from archaeological sources, particularly contains an interesting episode of Sunanda and from the pottery remains. Initially, they hugged princess Indumati.... “Would you marry this prince the coast till the Isthmus of Kra. This is the thin – he is Hemangada, the king of Kalinga, said strip of land, now part of Thailand, from which Sunanda, the companion of princess Indumati. the Malaya peninsula hangs. Goods were taken Sunanda elaborated further “He is the king of overland to the Gulf of Thailand from where they Mahendra Mountain and Mahodadhi (lord of were loaded again on ships for ports of Cambodia Sea). If you marry him you will get the fragrance and southern Vietnam.This explains why India’s of cloves from his body that is because cloves eastern coast established links with faraway are imported to his kingdom from far off islands. Vietnam before the Indonesian islands of Java and Guhasiva of the Puranic fame was ruling over Bali that may appear closer on a map. OcEo, in Kalinga-Visaya and Mahendra during the age of Vietnam’s , seems to have become Gupta. a major hub. From there, merchandise would be One more important tradition is associated traded up the coast to China. with the Southeast Asian Country of Funan or It is in the Mekong delta that we witness Cambodia with mount Mahendra. It is referred the establishment of the first Indianized kingdom to in a number of Copper Plate Charters of of South East Asia around first century BCE/CE. various dynastic rulers of this area that land The Chinese called it the kingdom of Funan. There donations were given to Kaundinya Brahmans is an interesting legend about how this kingdom who were living around Mahendragiri region in was founded. It is said that an Indian merchant 7th-8th centuries CE. It is very interesting that ship was sailing through the region when it was Kaundinya Brahmins still continue to live near attacked by pirates led by Soma, daughter of the Mahendra Mountain range of Odisha. Even a local Naga chieftain.The Indian fought back and peculiar custom still exists in the Bahuda- fended off the attackers led by a handsome young Vamsadhara basin around Mahendragiri where a Brahmin called Kaundinya. It appears that peculiar sect of Brahmans set out once a year to Princess Soma had been impressed by sell silk cloths. Even the rich Brahmans of this Kaundinya’s bravery and had fallen in love and sect had to sell one piece of Silk cloth every year. got married. The union is said to have founded a

18 NOVEMBER - 2020 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 lineage that ruled Funan for many generations. and Mount Mahendra were the ideal place to Whether this legend has some historical base or undertake sea voyage which the people of Kalinga not is difficult to answer, but slightly different adopted. The firm foundation of Kalinga or versions of the story have been repeated in Ancient Odishan maritime trade could be inscriptions by both the Chams of Vietnam and glimpsed even now from the archaeological the Khmers of Cambodia. It is also repeated in remains available at Palur around Chilika, Baruva contemporary Chinese records. Further, we see around , Salihundam- matrilineal genealogies would be given a great deal Kalingapattanam-Mukhalingam area on the river of importance over 1500 years that these Vamsadhara on either side of the mount Mahendra Indianized kingdoms flourished in this part of the in Odisha –Andhra border. World. The name of the Mahendra mountain This myth may be the reason, why the appears in the history of Funan in two occasions. serpent (naga) became such an important royal The history of southern Ch’I states that during symbol in Khmer iconography. More than the reign of Jayavarmana (5th century CE.), the thousand years later, the mystical union between custom of this country was to worship the God the king and a ‘serpent’ princess remained an Mahesvara (Shiva) who continually descends on important part of the court ceremonials at . mount Mo-tan. The mountain Mo-tan could be So now who was Kaundinya? It is certain that he another name of Mahendra mountain of Odisha was a Brahmin from India. While Kaundinya is which was also considered as the abode of Shiva not a common first name, it is the name of a gotra since the Eastern Gangas of Kalinga were (i.e., male lineage) of Brahmin who still live along worshipping Shiva Gokarnasvami as their tutelary the Tamil-Andhra-Odisha coastline. deity on Mahendra mountain. According to a According to the Chinese sources, the Chinese tradition, there were more than 1,000 kingdom of Funan was established by Brahmana Brahmanas in Tuan Siuan, a principality under Fu- Kaundinya-I, at the close of 1st century CE and nan. The Kambuja records mention a number of the capital was at Vyadhapura and the process of Brahmanas who came from India. The Indianisation began. It was further accelerated establishment of tutelar god Gokarnasvamin on with the arrival of another Brahmana Kaundinya- Mahendraparvata in Kalinga and Mahesvara in II in later part of 4th century CE. One of the Funan belonged to same time. greatest Kings of Funan was Jayavarman II (790 This led to an important assumption that CE) who conquered, first Vyadhapura (south-east as Funan was Indianised by the traders and of Cambodia) and then Sambhapura (present day merchants from the eastern coast of India, the Sambor) and finally Aninditapura and established migrants, with the passage of time named a local his power. On the basis of these evidences, one mountain of Funan as Mahendraparvata after the can infer that the Kaundinya Brahmanas might have Mahendraparvata of Odisha which had God migrated through the Port of Palur which was Mahesvara (Gokarnesvara) on it. The imitation referred to by Ptolemy (2nd century CE). Palur, and adoption was obvious on the part of migrant Baruva and Kalingapattnam were three ports in Indians in the process of spread and introduction between the River Rusikulya and Vamsadhara of Indian culture there as elsewhere.

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This is further corroborated by Long back, scholars opined that the Andhra- Jayavarman II (9th century CE) of Funan or Kalinga country on the east coast of the Deccan Cambodia who went to reign at was the home land of many, if not all of the ‘Mahendraparvata” and installed a miraculous migrations which resulted in the establishment of Siva lingam there as devaraja or king of gods Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms in the Archipelago. (which is god Siva or Mahesvara himself in c. The question comes why they named a 802 CE) with the help of a Brahman named mountain of Funan as Mahendraparvata and not Hiranyadama whom he invited from Janapada after any other Indian mountain names which (probably in India). Jayavarman II is most often logically implies that Kaundinya and early cited in the inscription as “the king who emigrants most probably went from Kalinga established his residence on the summit of Mount region, especially from the Mahendraparvata Mahendra”. This Mahendraparvata (i.e. Mount region. The Ragolu Copper Plate Charter issued Mahendra) has been identified with Phnom Kulen, from the victorious Singupura, one of the chief the sandstone plateau that dominates the northern cities of the kingdom of Matharas (350 to 500 part of the Angkor plain. As Jayavarman II went CE ), identified with modern Singapuram situated to Mahendra Parvata to reign and established his between Srikakulam and Narasnnapeta towns not residence there, it appears that mount Mahendra far from Mahendragiri. The Copper Plate was which was considered as Kula Parvata issued by Nandaprabhanjanavarman, the lord of (PhnonKulen) and used as the abode of devaraja the whole of Kalinga or Pitrbhakta king record was already there in Funan (Cambodia) before the grant of a piece of homestead land in favor of the reign of Jayavarman II. So, this could have the Brahmacharin Nandisarman of Kaundinya been the mount Mo-tan of the Chinese record of gotra. Another grant Pedda-Dugam Copper the fifth century CE. This indicates that the Plate Charter issued from Simhapura of Kaundinyas of Funan were not only ardent Saivites Maharaja Satrudamana deva records the grant but also had intimate association with the of villages namely Duha-grama,Vasu-vatak and Mahendraparvata of Kalinga and there was close Go-vataka situated within the agrahara called contact between Kalinga on the eastern sea coast Vardhamana in Giri-Kalinga in favour of two of India and Funan. Brahmanas belonging to the Kaundinya gotra and On the basis of the above discussion, it Taittiriya (sakha of Yajurveda) who were is presumed that the Kaundinya Brahmanas might residents of Pattuvagrama. Here, both Giri- Kalinga and Kaundinya denote again the area have migrated from Mahendra mountain region around Mahendragiri. of Kalinga. The main reason for the belief that the homeland of Kaundinya Brahmins of Funan could Historical Context be Mahendraparvata of Kalinga arises from the Epigraphic records are replete with fact that the name of Mahendra Mountain appears references to Mahendra mountain from 2nd in the history of Funan on two important occasions century CE to 13th century CE as how the as discussed. It is an accepted fact that Kalinga mountain Mahendragiri held high esteem by played an important role in the Indianization of different dynastic rulers of Kalinga or ancient Southeast Asia during the early centuries CE. Odisha. The importance lies that great conquerors

20 NOVEMBER - 2020 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 like Gautamaputra Satkarni, Yosdharman and Mahendrabhoga-visaya and further Rajendra Chola claimed supremacy over this Mahendragiri of Pistapura, Damana of mountain. To begin with Nasik cave inscription Erandapalli, and Kuvera of Devarastra. All these of 2nd century CE which describes the conquests principalities of Kalinga are now identified in and achievements of Gautama putra-Satakarni Srikakulam and Vishakhapatanam District of who was the Lord of Mahendra region along with Andhra Pradesh. The political condition of this other areas. This is also known from Satavahana part of Odisha (then known south Kalinga) was antiquities recovered from nearby Salihundam, divided into certain pretty principalities such as Buddhist site on Vamsadhara. It is already Mahendra, Kottura, Erandapalli all were in the established that Andhra Satavahana influence was region around . Since there in Odisha as known from recent excavations Mahendragiri is a important geographical at Langudi, , Radhanagar and Sisupalgarh landmark all the prasasti writers might have in the last two decades. K.C. Panigrahi observes referred the hill as a region. long-back that Andhra Satavahana coins have Next, following 4th-5th centuries, the been discovered at Sisupalgarh, Salihundam, region was a great importance during the rule of Ramatirtham, Sangharama. TheYaksha images of Matharas (350-500 CE) whose territory Sanchi type has already been found on the extended all around the mountain as known from sculptures of Udayagiri. Since Sanchi was under Devalpetagrant. Under Umavarmana of Mathara the Andhra Satvahana rule during the rule of dynasty the newly acquired area was formed a Satakarni II, it may be adhered that there was a visaya. Simhapura was their capital identified with period of Andhra Satavahana contact with the modern Singhapuram near Narasannapeta of Odisha. Since the mount Mahendra situated in Srikakulam district. However, it is known from Kalinga has found place in the list of the mountains their records the name of five such capitals situated of which Gautamaputra Satakarni is stated to at Siripura,Sunagara, Vardhamanapura, have been Lord, the importance of the mountain Singhpura and Pisthapura (Panigrahi,1981) all has to be accepted significantly for the cultural nd are in Ganjam, Gajpati (Odisha), Srikakulam and history of Odisha and from 2 century onwards, Vaizagpatnam (Andhra) districts. As known from the mountain stands to be important from several copper plate grants these were cities or nagaras points of view such as Kalingan identity, a and Mahendra bhoga - at the foot hill of milestone for trade route as well as cultural linkage Mahendra mountain constitute important to south etc. principalities under Matharas. At least five copper The Allahabad Pillar inscription (Prasasti) plate charters are known to have issued from records that during southern campaigns, these places by Mathara kings. In fact, the conquered some principalities of kingdom was extended from Mahendra mountain Odisha and defeated principalities, located mostly to Godavari. (The dynasty appears to have put in the Kosala and Kalinga region. In this campaign to an end by the Vishnukundins of the south and Samudragupta defeated Vyaghraraja of Gangas of Svetaka in about 6th century, perhaps Mahakantara, and Mantaraja of Korala due to the invasion of Harisena of Vakataka (principalities in modern ) and dynasty –one of the builder of Ajanta.(Ajanta further south Kottura a village in Inscriptions Hydrabad Series). For some time

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Svetaka Gangas were ruling over the principalities embraced by the fingers of the waves of the water around Chikiti region adjoining to Mahendragiri of the ocean, the Maharaj Sri Indravarmana, who mountain in . However, the history has had the stains of the kali age removed by of Matharas are not yet explored and recorded unceasing obeisance to Gokarnasvami, the sole systematically. In the mean while, a Vigraha architect for the formation of the universe, who General named Prithvivigraha had established a has full-moon for (his) crest-jewel, (and) who is kingdom consisting of northern Kalinga and a clothed with the coils of great serpents, (and) who portion of south Kosala. This kingdom is dwells on the summit of the mountain Mahendra” described as Kalinga-rastra in the Sumandala and goes on narrating kings personal eulogy. It plate of Dharmaraja (570 CE) who was a seems that Mahendragiri had already got its due feudatory chief of Prthvivigraha and was ruling importance in the cultural life of Kalinga people over Khalikote region of Ganjam district. from the days of Eastern Gangas. As known from (E.I.XXVIII.) the archaeological and epigraphical sources, Mahendragiri is adorned with the Gokarnesvara Hastivarmana (577 CE), the third known (Kunti Temple), Yudhistira, and Bhima temple Ganga ruler of Trikalinga, wrested away north built by these early Gangas around 7th century Kalinga from Vigrahas and conquered south CE. The most famous of these temples is Kunti Kalinga from Prithivi-maharaja of Pistapura and or Gokarnesvara temple. It is one of the earliest thus founded the Ganga kingdom of Kalinga. He temples of Odisha which is assigned to 7th century built the new capital of Kalinganagara on the bank CE. However, there are divergent views on the of the Vamsadhara and assumed the title of date of these temples since the original form is Sakala-Kalingadhipati. Hastivarmana, in fact altered now. was considered to be the real founder of Ganga- kingdom of Kalinga. The Early Gangas or Eastern After the accession of Anantavarmana Gangas established their capital at Kalinganagara Vajrahastadeva in 1038 CE, the Gangas of identified with modern Mukhalingam in Kalinga rose up to follow a policy of aggressive Srikakulam district only 30 Kms from imperialism followed by Chodagangadeva (1077 Paralakhemundi and around 60 kms from to 1147 CE), the grandson of Vajrahastadeva V, Mahendragiri. Scholars also opine that the Gangas the Ganga empire extended from the mouth of had a secondary capital at Dantapura identified the Godavari to the Ganges. They also shifted with Dantapurakota near Kotavalsa (The same their capital from Kalinganagara (Mukhalingam ) site of ancient capital of Kalinga), again on the to Avinava Varanasi or Choudwar bank of Vamsadhara. The region of Gangas was Cuttack. around the present Srikakulam-Gajpati district, Almost contemporary to the Eastern otherwise known as the Eastern Gangas or Early Gangas, the Sailodbhavas of Kangoda were Gangas and ruled from 496 CE to the middle of ruling from middle of 6th century up to 736 CE 11th century CE. The Chicacole plates of and their area is around Chilika in between Indravarmana (Ganga Era 146), states that “hail Mahendragiri and . Their capital was from the victorious city of Kalinganagara which at Bankadagada and Niladriprasad which are is the ornament of all the land of Kalinga that is traced with palace ruins and temples in the modern

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Banapur area of Khurda district. The art and and both point out Mahendragiri as their seat of architecture with full form is known from a number adoration. When the Bhaumkara king Subhakara of sculptural and architectural remains found at I after occupying Kangoda marched towards Bankada, 30 kms from modern Banapur. The Kalinga, the Gangas, the friend of Sailodbhavas, cradle land of Sailodbhavas of Kangoda was made a strong defense by resisting Bhuamas and mount Mahendra. As known from epigraphic mount Mahendra remained as the border of records Kangoda was bounded by Kalinga. Here, again it is postulated by scholars and the Bay of Bengal on the east, Mahendra like S.C.Chadra that the Sailodbhavas being hard mountain in south which was included in Kalinga pressed between Bhaumas of Utkala and Gangas territory in larger extent. Hiuen Tsang refers of Kalinga migrated to Malaya Archipelago. Kong-u-t’o or Kongoda as a hilly country, (OHRJ, Vol.III, No.2). It may have some bordering on a bay of sea. It is accepted that historical truth as the Sailendras of Java and Pulindasena, the progenitor of the Sailodbhava Sailodbhavas have many similarities and the name family, was the leader of the aboriginal Pulindas mount Mahendra also occurred in the countries of mountain Mahendra. Pulindas were the of Malaya Archipelago. powerful tribal people residing in the Mahendra region of Kalinga which was the gate way to south The explicit weakness of the Somavamsi India. The two expressions in Sailodbhava king Karnadeva and his kingdom encouraged the records “Kulagiri Ksto Mahendrah Ksitu” and neighboring kings to capture it. Kalinga was then “Kshata Kalinga jantasu Pulindasenah”, under a very powerful ruler named undoubtedly indicate that the original home of the Chodagangadeva invaded Utkala in 1110 CE, but Sailodbhava family was ‘Mahendragiri’. the Mukhalingam inscription refers that Chodaganga succeeded in occupying Utkala by The Buguda plates of Madhavavarman defeating the Somavamsi king before 1108 CE. records that Pulindasena, a leader of the Kalinga- Chodagangadeva annexed Utkala permanently to Janata, worshipped the god Svayambhu on top the Ganga kingdom and transferred his capital of this mountain where he received a boon from from Kalinganagara (Mukhalingam) to the Brahma that a stalwart youth would come out of Somavamsi capital Varanasi Cuttack around 1114 a rock after it had been split. He was called CE. Sailodbhava after whom the family was named. Further, it is known from the preamble of Thus, the Gangas of Kalinga, a branch of Sailodbhava records that Pulindasena worshipped the Ganga dynasty, had ruled Odisha continuously Lord Swayambhu who granted his wish and for a long period of nine and half centuries from created apparently out of pieces of rock the 498 to 1435CE. They are designated as Eastern prince Sailodbhava, who thus became the famous Gangas to distinguish themselves from the as the founder of the Sailodbhava line of Kings. Western Gangas of Mysore. The whole period However, there are number of stories and legends of their reign as discussed can be divided into associated with Pulindasena and origin of two historical phases. The first phase i.e, from Sailodbhava from the rocky region of CE 498 to 1038 CE ruled from Kalinganagar of Mahendragiri. Both Early Gangas of Kalinga and Kalinga principality as early Gangas and the Sailodbhavas of Kangoda were devout Saivas second phase which extends from CE 1038 to

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1434 CE ruled from Varanasi Cuttack uniting Anantavarmana Chodagangadeva (of the Ganga whole of Kalinga, Utkala,Odra, i.e, Odisha and dynasty). For the burning of the gift lamp, he known under the name of imperial Gangas. During deposited 5 madas under the custody of the the imperial Gangas, Vajrahasta–V, the first kampus (mercantile community) for regular imperial ruler was a paramamahesvara and a supply of clarified butter to the temple. great devotee of Lord Gokarnesvara. The Yudhisthira temple inscription on the The Ganga dynasty of Kalinga and the Mahendra Mountain having six lines in Telugu of Sailodbhava kings of Kangoda had regarded about 12th century CE, but not in a good state of great respect to the mountain as Kulagiri. Even preservation. Below the inscription, there is the the imperial Gangas shifted their capital from embalm of Chola dynasty, representing the figure Kalinganagara on the bank of the river of two fishes with a seated tiger in front of Vamsadhara to the central Odishan capital them.The inscription records the eulogy of Varanasi Kataka (modern Choudwar-Kataka) but Rajendra Chola of the Chola dynasty and still they offer their devotion and regarded apparently states the installation of a victory pillar Gokarnesvara as their family deity at least at the (vijayastambha) on the top of the Mahendra beginning. The Gangas, on the other hand, most mountain. It seems Mahendra region was likely followed the earlier revered and established remained for some time under the Cholas but the tradition of Gokarneswara on the mountain as Ganga King Anantavarman Chodagangadeva their family deity.Two inscriptions of 12th century recovered the lost territories around 1090 CE. CE are found engraved in Kunti temple referring Mahendraparvata is still played an important in God Gokarnesvara. The first one is engraved on the Odishan Culture even under Suryavamsis and a slab lying to the right of the entrance to the Kunti further under Moughals after 1576 CE. shrine on the Mahendra mountain having sixteen Archaeological Remains: lines of writing in and Telugu in prose of The area on an undulating flat land and about 12th century CE (Saka year 1045). It hilltops ups and down was chosen a place for records the gift of a perpetual lamp in favour of temple construction on the middle peak of the the god Mahendrasvara (i.e Siva Gokarnesvara) mountain. As of now, we see three standing by Laksmidharaya, son of Devasramana and temples at distance from each other forming a grandson of Narayana. triangle. But there are other ruins and remains as The second inscription is engraved on a huge stone blocks are seen gathered perhaps slab found on the left of the entrance to the belong to some more temple edifices of the past. Gokarnesvara (Kunti) temple having altogether A number of scholars in recent times tried to put nineteen lines in Telugu of 12th century CE. (Saka all the archaeological remains of the hill mostly year 1055). The inscription records the gift of a the temples around 6th -7thcentury. The scholars perpetual lamp in favour of the god Gokarnesvara discussed on this issue were K.C.Panigrahi, (Siva), on Mahendragiri on the occasion of K.S.Behera and B.K.Ratha and others were given Vyatipata-yoga by Srikarana Bhimanatha, for the a passing reference. Even, a popular ancient increase of religious merit of Medapotu Sdyya of architectural text Silpapraksha having three Arsavelli, during the victorious sixtieth srahi of copies of the manuscript in Sanskrit script are

24 NOVEMBER - 2020 Odisha Review ISSN 0970-8669 reported from but was transcribed in the and their mother Kunti who visited the mountain village Sobanpura on the banks of the river during the exile .These temples named after Bhima, Rusikulya.The second copy was (Manuscrpit-2) Yudhisthira and Kunti. traced from the town Manjusa in Andhra and was Bhima Temple written in the same village, described as “surrounded by the ”. Let us start with the smallest and oldest Manuscript 3 was found from in Srikakulam in one at the highest peak locally known as Kubjagiri Andhra and was written on the banks of the river at Mahendragiri. This temple is located about a Musali in the Mahendra mountain area. km away further highest peak from Yudhisthira temple located on flat on the lower peak. One As discussed, in many of the Eastern has to climb the narrow serpentine pathway to Ganga plates begin with invoking ‘Mahendra reach at the temple; of course, the temple is visible pratisthita Gokarnaswami’, or the deity at the from Yudhisthira temple area. The Bhima temple summit of Mahendra mountain, but not a single as named itself, there is no historical record to record refers a temple is constructed for him or support it, but well-known to all by this name, is donation made to him. However, temples were with a height of 7 mtrs. approximate and with 4 x th constructed being earliest one dated to 7 century 4 mtrs. square on plan. The whole temple was CE may be assigned to Eastern Gangas or constructed with a good number of huge stone Sailodbhavas. However, none of the scholars blocks. All together there are about 26 stone dated the temples but arrived at the conclusion blocks used for the temple. The stone blocks, as by taking together the architectural styles. In our seen around 3 x 3 mtrs and 1.40 mtrs. in length, recent study of the standing temples and other width and height. The stones are placed one on ruins, we accept the dates of the previous scholars another forming a Rekha temple of one chamber earliest being assigned to Sailodbhava period as or only deula and placed in proper plumb.The that of Satrughanesvara group of temple of circular beki is marked followed by usual Bhubaneswar. As has been discussed amalaka dressed in single stone. An opening of Mahendragiri was the Kulagiri of Sailodbhavas 1.2 mtrs in height is seen facing south. The inner and Lord Gokarnesvra was the Istadevata of garbhagriha is around 1.5.x 1.5 mtrs.The present the Eastern Gangas of Kalinganagar. They must temple seems to be reconstructed on the older have built devayatana for the God. Although we one with some alteration and addition of amalaka are getting inscriptions from the temples but all sila placed on its flat roof. Some scholars have th th are dated to late period of 12 and 13 century studied closely and opined that originally it was a of the imperial Gangas. In Odishan context, we flat -roofed structure walled by eight big pieces st get reference of devayatana from 1 century CE of stones. K.C. Panigrahi who was a pioneer in th and standing temples from 6 century CE. drawing the chronology of Odishan temples states Now, there are three temples standing on that the Bhima temple found on the top of the top of Mahendragiri mountain although ruins Mahendra mountain is devoid of sculptures,but of some other edifices are still scattered around. is not a sikhara temple. It is a flat roofed stone Saraladasa, in his Odia Mahabharata mentions structure, but with no circumambulatory covered that the temples were built by brothers path to be generally seen in the early Gupta

NOVEMBER - 2020 25 ISSN 0970-8669 Odisha Review temples. Some scholars assigned its construction Bhubaneswar dated to last part of 6th century or to the Mathara King Uma Varmana (360-395 early part of 7th century CE. This temple is also a CE) with generally comes under Gupta period. proto type of Somesvara and Madhukesvara as the form of temple evolved at Sanchi and temples of Kalinganagar or Mukhalingam but Tigwa. without artistic representation. A number of architectural pieces and stone blocks are found The whole temple is just a replica of scattered around the temple.This temple perhaps Kalinga School of Architecture at its beginning. was re-built from the original shattered one.The R.D. Banerjee referred to Kalinga style. S.N. front door lintel contains an inscription of the Chola Rajguru and other scholars accepted it as the king Rajendra Chola. earliest specimen of temple architecture, generally dated to 5th-6th century (Gupta period) but in Gokarnesvara Temple Odishan context either Eastern Gangas or This temple is situated at one end of the Sailodbhavas.It is more akin to Sailodbhava flat ground further towards east down after period. Yudhisthira temple.This temple is popularly known There some similar temples exist at as Kunti and dedicated to Gokarnesvara Siva as different regions of India as is found at Kud in has been referred to in numerous copper plate Jabalpur district and another at Bilaspur. Some charters.The temple is a single chambered shrine more in Bijapur district. Here, Bhima temple as having characteristics of a sikhara temple or tradition goes was constructed by Bhimasura, the Rekha Deul (curvilinear tower) built in Kalingan demon Bhima and his demonic race Bhima style. The approximate height of the temple is 30 Savaras, who are all still existing in Mahendra feet and does not have a plinth.The temple is region as a branch of Savara community. facing west and the side niches contain figures of Parsva-devatas (side deities). It has a square Yudhistira Temple sanctum enshrining a linga devoid of porch, Next down on the flat land of the peak of narrow doorway, walls without niches, incipient Mahendra mountain stands a temple called mouldings, squat sikhara formed by one small Yudhisthira as known widely and dedicated to flat roof over a big flat roof with an asymmetrical Siva. The temple is one single deula of tri-ratha fluted amalaka are its characteristic placing it in type rises abruptly from the ground and has a period of transition from Gupta to Post-Gupta tapering projection. The bada portion is straight period. The Ganesha and Karttikeya figures are and is adorned with an amalaka with an well preserved, but the Parvati figure in north ayudha.The temple has no deities and a frontal façade is badly mutilated. Navagraha figures are opening is there. The opening faces to south and seen in the lintel over the front door. The temple approximately six feet in height. Four chaitya is classified under Pancha-ratha type of Kalingan arches adorn from four sides of the sikhara. architecture. However, the temple has been There is a boundary wall made of huge rectangular repaired thoroughly with lime and mortar. A small pieces of stone. The temple is fully restored and niche flat roofed chamber (temple) in front of conserved. The temple may be compared with temple is seen which housed some images and Satrughanesvara group of temples of the door jamb contain inscriptions. Nandi and

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Garuda images are seen in front of the temple. among the great emperors which must have more Scholars dated this temple to 9th-10th century evidences in Odisha too but not yet recovered CE on the basis of the architectural and sculptural which need a through exploration and features and further two inscriptions of 12th documentation. century are found one on a slab to the right of the Mahendragiri stands in a strategic entrance and the other on the left of the temple. location, very close to Sea and the ancient ports Even some scholars consider this temple as the such as Palur, Baruva and . This oldest standing temple in Odisha. K.C. Panigrahi remarks that the shrine of Gokarnesvara is very is why it is on a trade route and connecting to all ancient and is frequently mentioned in the copper regions of north, south and hinterland which was plate records of the Ganga kings of Svetaka dating very well known from Samudragupta’s march to back to 5th century CE. South India and building of a strong capital city Kalinganagar near Mukhalingam by the Early Conclusion Gangas. This is also reflected from the Chola No temple can stand alone. The rituals inscription where Rajendra Chola fixed an or temple complex, all part of a socio-religious inscription as well as a vijayastamba at matrix, connecting people in different geographical Mahendragiri. region in a series of complex symbolic networks. The South East Asian connection and the The temple is a monument of manifestation, node tradition associated with Kaundinya Brahmana between the flux of man’s world and eternity, his could also be seen as K.A. Nilakantha Sastri doorway to divine realization as well as window remarks the Andhra- Kalinga country on the east through which the formless eternal divine force of coast of the Deccan was the home land of many, Hinduism is made visible and approachable as images in this world. This is the symbolic if not all of the migrations which resulted in the representation of the divine cosmos, recreating in establishment of Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms in the three dimensional form the supernatural worlds Archipelago. The story of this mountain narrates inhabited by the gods and spirits. Here mention the history of Kalinga which we all should need may be made that why these temples were built to know and let the state should come forward in such a remote and hilly terrain, the answer may to preserve both the tangible and intangible be as H. Kulke remarks that the Hindu raja heritage of the mountain -what we have tried little (Eastern Gangas) appropriated the local cults by bit to record for our research purpose. The site is donating the deities like Stambheswari, best to use history as economic activity or what Maninageswari, Gokarnesvara, etc. and adopted we may call applied history by way of promoting these tutelary deities. This integration was heritage tourism. In fact, Mahendragiri is a heaven completed by the Gangas who unified whole for the trekkers, youths, art lovers, naturalists, Odisha through Jagannath cult. Perhaps this historians and others who have some inclination integration was started from very beginning of their for nature. Let us preserve, promote and publicize rule from 6th-7th century itself and that of the strength of the site through tourism which may Gokarnesvara of Mahendragiri. From 2nd century help the local to regenerate their economic activity to 5th century CE, the region was well known by establishing an eco-heritage destination.

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Applied history could be the best means to grow S.Tripathy, Descriptive Topographical Catalogue of livelihood in the region. Orissan Inscriptions, Manohar, New , 2010, p.605. K.C. Panigrahi, History of Orissa, Cuttack, 1981, p.40. References : D.K. Ganguly, Historical Geography and Dynastic S.M. Mathur, Physical , NBT, 2003, History of Orissa, Culcutta, 1975, p.9 J.K.Sahu, pp. 94-101. Historical , Decent Books,1997, New Delhi, pp. 33-33. B.K. Ratha, ‘The History of Mount Mahendra’, OHRJ, Vol.XXII, No.3-4, pp.81-98. Ajanta Inscription, Hydrabad Archaeological Series, No. 14, E.I.XXVIII. Anadi Sahu, ‘Maritime Glory’ in G.N. Mohanty, et.al, ed. The Cultural Heritage of Ganjam, Bhubaneswar, P.K. Mishra and J.K Samal. Ed. Comprehensive History 2004, p239. and Culture of Orissa,Vol.1, Part-1, Books, Delhi, 2010, p.57-58 S.C. Behera, Rise and Fall of Sailodbhavas, Punthi Pustak, Culcutta,1982, p.190 S.N. Rajguru, History of Gangas, State Museum, Bhubaneswar, 1968, pp. 91-92. S. Sanyal, The Ocean of Churn, Penguin, Delhi, 2016, p.82-83. S.Tripathy, Descriptive Topographical Catalogue of Orissan Inscriptions, Manohar, Delhi, 2010, Nicholas Tarling (ed), The Cambridge History of South East Asia, Vol. 1, CUP, 1999. T.J.Mailtby, Ganjam District Manual, Madras, 1918 (Rpt). D.G.E.Hall.1981, A History of South East Asia, McMillon, London, 4thEdn. 1993. V.Dehejia, Early Stone Temples, Vikas, Delhi, 1979 H. Kulke, Kings and Cult, Manohar, Delhi, 2001, pp. K.S.Behera, Temples of Orissa, Odisha Sahitya 332-376. Akademi,1993, p.15. The form of temple was evolved at Sanchi and Tigwa. R C Mujumdar, Inscriptions of Kambuja, No.1, 52, p.132.88. R. D. Banarjee, History of Orissa, (reprint), New Age Publications, Cuttack, 2008. R.C.Mujumdar, The Struggle between the Sailendras and the Cholas’ in Kwa Chong-Gauan, ed. Early Southeast Asia viewed from India, Manohar, New Delhi, 2013, pp.126-127. H. Kulke, Kings and Cult Manohar, New Delhi, 2010, Dr. Sunil Kumar Patnaik, Archaeologist & Secretary, Odishan Institute of Maritime & South East Asian Michael Freeman, Claude Jacques, Ancient Angkor, Studies, Bhubaneswar. River Books, Bangkok, 2003 (reprint 2013), pp.8-9. Sarita Nayak, Research Scholar (Archaeology), Odishan K.A.Nilakantha Sastri, ‘Kataha’ in Journal of the Institute of Maritime & South East Asian Studies, Greater India Society, Vol.5-6, 1938-39, p.135-136, Bhubaneswar, E-mail : [email protected].

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