Nrusinghanath Temple, Bargarh, Odisha

Contents

1 Architecture
2 Legend / Local stories
3 Photo Gallery
4 How to Reach:
5 Contact Details

Nrusinghanath Temple, Bargarh, Odisha

Date built:	1313
Deity:	–
Architectural style:	Koshal Architecture
Major festivals	–
Locale:	Paikmal
District::	Bargarh
Address:	Mugpal, Odisha 755009
Phone	–

Sri Nrusinghanath, the great temple of Odisha in India, is situated at the foot hills of Gandhamardhan Hill near Paikmal, Bargarh. The King of Patnagarh, Baijal Singh Dev, laid the foundation of this historic temple in 1313 A.D. It is only 45 feet in height, divided into two parts: the first being the seat of the Lord Nrusinghnath, the second allotted to Jagamohan (antechamber having 3 gates and each supported by 4 pillars.

Architecture

Nrusinghanath is a famous visiting place of the district which belongs to the Borasambar Kingdom of the past now known as the Padampur Sub-division. It is 150 kms far from the district headquarters.The temple of Sri Sri Nrusinghanath is situated at the bottom of the Gandhamardan Mountain which is approximately 3234 feet high. Baijaldev, the 8th Chouhan King of Patna had built the temple. An inscription on one of the stone walls of the temple speaks of the history related to its construction. In the temple which is surrounded on all sides by incredible natural beauty, Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Marjara Keshari. The Govt. of Odisha has accorded it the status of a tourist spot to this place.

We learn from the description of Huen Tsang that it was a Buddhist spot in the past known as Parimalagiri. There is historical evidence that the Buddhist Shramana Nagarjuna lived here in the past.There flows a fountain near the temple which takes different names at different places in its course such as Kapil Dhar, Bhim Dhar, Chal Dhar, Sita Kund & Go Kund. The top most point of the mountain Gandhamardan is known as Bhim Madua.The sacred Baisakha Mela (Summer Festival) takes place here on the occasion of Nrusingha Chaturdarshi. Every year it attracts a huge gathering. Festivals take place here on the occasions of Solar & Lunar eclipses too. It is also a popularly favoured destination for picnic trips.

Legend / Local stories

Around six hundred years ago, a woman Jamuna Kandhuni as referred in the book “Nrusingha Charitra” composed a Kavya that sings the glory of Marjara Keshari in regard to suppression and repression of torture and tyranny of Musika Daitya. According to the legend, when people were greatly afflicted by Musika Daitya (the incarnate Mouse Demon), Vishnu Mani in the appearance(Incarnation) of Marjara Keshari, in His Feline Form, ran to eat the demonic mouse form – Musika Daitya who never came out from the tunnel and Marjara Keshari waited from that day. The temple is reputed from that day with this mythological history. This story is symbolic of the grounding the demonic evil power of tyranny and torture that never dared to come out further and Lord Nrusinghnath alias Marjara Keshari has been guarding it since then. According to Huen Tsang, the Chinese traveler, this place was a centre of Buddhist scriptural learning. Lord Nrushinghanath is a much-adored deity of Orissa and a great fair is held in his honour on the 14th day of bright fortnight in the month of Vaisakha. According to Oriya and Devnagari inscriptions, the temple was built by Baijal Dev in the early 15th century AD. The temple is constructed in Orissan style of architecture.