Bhubaneswar : Learning about the monumental wealth of the Temple City, following the Media Session of the Y20 Consultation at KIIT-Deemed-to-be University, 35 journalists from Delhi -based media houses, joined the heritage trail themed “Romance etched in stones” under the initiative of Odisha Walks by Odisha Tourism, on Sunday last.
The scribes visited the 7th Century Parasurameswar Temple and the 10th Century Mukteswar and Kartikeswar temple complex in the morning hours. They not only got fascinated by seeing the unique temple building architecture of the Kalingan era and intricate carvings on the temple walls, but were delighted to know the tales behind the temples and their precincts.
Jitu Mishra, a trained archaeologist, who guided the walk on behalf of Odisha Tourism, said “the Ekamra Kshetra has been regarded as a sacred abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati and the temples, also narrate the socio-cultural traditions of the bygone eras. He described how the temple architecture and designs had some influences from Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
He also described the “Maricha Kunda” or the sacred well inside the premises of Mukteswar Temple. It’s believed that on an auspicious day during the car festival of Lord Lingaraj, women with infertility issues, who take bath in water drawn from the sacred well, could conceive easily and hence the water is auctioned with a very high price.
At Parasurameswar Temple, the visitors came to know about the different eras of temple building style and how Rekha Deula, Pidha Deula and Khakra Deula have become the three styles under the Kalingan temple building pattern.
Alok, from India TV said “we are delighted to see the beautiful temple sculptures and art carved out of stones. I would suggest everyone to see these beautiful monuments, whenever you are in Odisha and Bhubaneswar.”
Diptanshu, a travel writer said, “this is my third visit to Odisha. However, for the first time I am taking part in a heritage walk in Bhubaneswar. I love it and I hope others should also explore the beautiful and unique temples.”