Obscured by bushes, ancient temple cries to see light

Balasore: Balasore district is rich in archaeological treasures, but many of them are lying unexplored or uncared for.

One of them is an ancient temple located in the middle of Kupari village under Khaira block. Locals say only blocks of rocks are visible from a bushy screen of trees. The place is just 30 metres away from Soro-Kupari Road.

Monument and culture lovers have lamented that such an ancient treasure has been neglected while the tourism and culture department has never paid attention to its restoration.

The temple lies entwined with roots of a banyan tree. Elderly people remember that the temple used to be called Jatatala Mandira.

But no one knows what deities were being worshipped inside the temple as the place had been abandoned long ago.

Some historians and archaeology researchers say that it’s a Jain temple. However, if the place is explored and research is done, facts about the temple will come out.

Kupari area is at the foot of Suasari hill. Kupari has assumed its importance after it was declared a tourism place.

Sarat Biswal, secretary of Sunya Mandap Management Committee, said his ancestors had considered the remains as those of a Jain temple.

“It is concealed under the roots of a banyan tree. The state archaeology department should initiate steps for its restoration,” he noted.

Locals said that about 30 years ago, some officials had visited the place and took stock of the temple, but nothing has been done after that.

Bhagabat Tripathy, historian and former lecturer of Kupari College, said both Buddhist and Jain saints used to visit Kupari area in the 6^th century to propagate their religions.

He also said that the 23^rd Tirthankar of Jainism, Parshvanatha, was believed to have visited the area and at that time many temples had been built here. There is a need for research to ascertain if the temple belongs to Buddhism or Jainism, he added.

Dr Ajay Nayak, a researcher on ancient sculptures, said that the temple could be Buddhist and urged locals and the state archaeology department for its restoration.

PNN