Good news for the people of Western Odisha. A high-level official team visited the two shrines namely Harishankar and Nrushinghanath in Balangir and Bargarh districts respectively of Odisha and discussed their composite development plans. The team led by Odisha Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra also comprised Chairman of Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) and Principal Advisor to the chief minister Asit Tripathy and 5T secretary VK Pandian among others.
Speaking to the journalists after the visit Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra said that the team visited the shrines following an order from the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. He said, “ As per the direction of the chief minister we visited Harishankar and Nrushinghanath today to discuss the composite development plans for the two shrines. An expert team will soon be deputed in the area so that a masterplan can be prepared and investment will be made to develop the twin shrines as potential tourist destinations”.
Mahapatra further informed that the locals will be consulted during the preparation of the masterplan. “During the preparation of the masterplan, the expert team will take the locals into confidence and will hold discussion with them”, he said adding that the already existing trekking route between Harishankar and Nrusinghanath would be developed.
He said, “The team held discussion on developing the trekking route between the two shrines and superintendent of police, district collector and divisional forest officer took part in the discussion”. He also said that the demand for ropeway will also be included in the masterplan if it is found feasible.
The visit of the high-level team to the two shrines is significant as both Harishankar and Nrusinghanath despite having immense potential as tourist destinations are not given due importance. Situated on the laps of the historic Ganghamardan hill range the two places invite thousands of pilgrims and tourists from Odisha and neighbouring states like Chhatisgarh and others, The two places can be developed into important spiritual destinations and hubs of eco-tourism.
Let us discuss what Harishankar and Nrusinghhnath have in store for you.
Please read on
Harishankar
A place of pilgrimage with unmatched scenic charms and located at a distance of 80 kms from Balangir, the district headquarters town Harisankar is awesome standing amidst picturesque landscape on the southern slope of Gandhamardan. Several natural springs add more charm to this place. Most tourists like to go for an adventurous trekking trip in the mountains of Harishankar. The tourists also do not miss to enjoy bathing in the Khasada Pathara (Slippery Stone) situated near the temple where the spring touches the ground.
Gandhamardan mountain boasts of at least 22 perennial springs and is home to a rich treasure of flora and fauna that makes it a tourist paradise. Gandhamardan in general and Harishankar in particular is home to some of the rare herbal plants found in the country. Moreover, the place is endowed with so much of natural beauty that tourists throng in thousands every day. The nature has been so kind to bestow all its charm to the place making it one of the best places for tourists in the state. And of course, there is the temple of Hari and Shankar in the foothills.
The temple
Harishankar temple is situated on the southern slope of Gandhamadan hills amidst the natural wealth. The temple also connects to two Hindu gods, Vishnu and Shiva. The deity idol dates back to the 14th century AD which was discovered by a Chouhan dynasty king who ruled the then Patna state. From that time the deity being worshipped here. Historians attribute the temple to Maharaja Baijjal Singh Dev who built the temple as per the wish of his wife Durlabha.
Festivals
Maha Shivaratri is the main festival at the Harishankar shrine. It is a festival celebrated annually in honour of Lord Shiva. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists throng the hill temple on the occasion which usually falls in February or March. Other important festivals celebrated include Makar Sankranti and Magha Mela.
The Falls
Gandhamardan boasts of several perennial falls. The one that is very popular on the Harishankar side of the mountain is Papanasini dhar. There is a belief that all your sins are washed away if you take a bath here.
Trekking
There is a trekking route between Harishankar and Nrushinghanath which covers a distance of 16 kilometers. Visitors interested in eco-tourism and the mountaineers come here to trek the arduous route. However, thousands of pilgrims throng and trek the distance on the occasion of Nrusingha Chaturdushi festival which is celebrated both in Harishankar and Nrusinghanath.
Travel Tips
Harishankar can be reached by air, rail, and roads. The nearest airport is Vivekananda International Airport in Raipur about 173 kilometers away. Kantabanjhi is the nearest railhead. A tourist bus runs between Balangir and Harishankar every weekend. You can use the services of the bus on other days of the week if you book the whole bus. The weather is pleasant all through the year. You can visit the place at your own will.
Nrusinghanath
Just opposite Harishankar and on the Northern slope of Gandhamardan range Nrusinghanath is situated in the lap of nature. This is one of the most preferred tourist destinations in Western Odisha. Surrounded by greenery, the place is one of the most revered by the spiritual as well as eco-tourists.
Thousand of people throng Nrusinghanath to perform various rituals as it is considered a sacred place. The majestic 14th century Nrusinghanath temple stands tall in the foothills of Gandhamardan. Nrusinghnath is about 110 kilometers from Bargarh, the district headquarters town.
The temple
Built by Baijal Singh Deb, the then king of Patna state in the early 14th century AD Lord Nrusinghanath is worshipped in this shrine as Marjara Keshari (Feline). You can see the feline form of the lord in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. This queer practice of worshipping feline in the temple has been attributed to some mythological backings as found in the book “Nrusingha Charita” in Odia language.
Legend has it that about 600 years ago one Jamuna Kandhuni, a woman had composed an epic poem singing the glory of Marjara Keshari who had saved people from the repression and tyranny of the Musika Daitya (Mouse demon) who ruled terror in the area. Lord Nrusinghnath in his feline form ran to eat the Musika Daitya, but the mouse demon never returned from the tunnel. From that day Marjara Keshari standing as a guard waiting for the mouse demon.
The 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. The temple is an architectural marvel and it follows the Kalinga Architecture of ‘Deula’ style. Chinese traveler Huen Tsang has described Nrusinghanath as a center of Buddhist scriptural learnings. Lord Nrusinghanath is a much adored deity in Odisha and a grand festival is celebrated annually on the day of Baishakha charurdashi which usually falls in the month of April or May.
Attractions
Lately, Nrusinghanath has been witnessing a boost in the tourism activities around the Gandhamardan hills. A beautiful garden has come up just near the temple and Lord Krishna is shown in his many avatars. A 28 feet high Hanuman statue has also been erected inside the garden. A good place to hang on for few minutes.
Nrusinghanath boasts of some of the best springs of Gandhamardan. The pick of the lot is Kapil dhar which takes different names at different places in its course such as Kapil dhar, Bhim dhar, Chal dhar, Sita kund and Go kund.
Travel Tips
The nearest airport for Nrusinghanath is Raipur International Airport some 156 kilometers away. The nearest railhead is Khariar Road railway station. It is well connected by road from all parts of Odisha and Chhatisgarh. Nrusinghanath can be visited at any time of the year. There is limited accommodation facilities at the temple site. You should look for your stay at the nearest town Padampur where you can get hotels at affordable prices.