Monalisa Patsani
Post News Network
ASI apathy is responsible for the 11th century Sahasralinga tank in the city degenerating into a haven for drug addicts and anti-socials, which shows that despite slogans of boosting tourism and heritage walks, little is actually being done to conserve tradition and the rich religious heritage of the city
Bhubaneswar, Oct 12: The state tourism department has planned the heritage walk facility at Ekamra Khestra where it is going to install boards along the trail depicting the major landmarks and monuments that speak of the glorious history of the temple city.
Lingaraj temple is the most visited by tourists in the city. There are many important monuments and landmarks nearby the temple that include the Bindusagar tank and many small and big temples.
One such historically important tank is the 11th century AD Debipadhara tank, also known as the Sahasralinga tank, which due to lack of proper maintenance has become a haven for drug addicts and the alcoholic as well as those indulging in anti-social activities. The tank is just a few meters away from the front side wall of Lingaraj temple.
There are around 108 small and big Shiva lingas encircling the tank. That apart when the water recedes during winter Shiva lingas on the stairs of the tank become visible. The tank is under the aegis of the Archeological Survey of India since 1964 and conservation work has been carried out only twice since: once in 2006-07 and in a second phase in 2010.
According to the mythology there were two demons, Kirtti and Vasa, who after being driven away from their father’s kingdom wandered here and there and at last came to Ekamra which appeared to them to be a beautiful place and they made up their mind to stay back. Parvati according to Lord Shiva’s desire lived in the guise of a ‘Gopalini’ (milkmaid) and used to worship regularly at the Gosahasresvara shrine. Both Kirtti and Vasa accidently met her and proposed marriage. She told both of them to carry her on their shoulders. Both demons died under Gopalini’s feet after which water sprang up from the spot on which their corpses fell.
Enquired about the lack of the maintenance of Sahasralinga tank, Ashok Kumar Patel, Superintending Archeologists of Orissa circle, agreed there is lack of maintenance. “We agree that there is no maintenance but we are not the only one to be blamed. We have tried several times to keep the area clean but nearby shopkeepers and hotels throw garbage into the tank.”
“ASI has carried out some conservation work. In 2010 under my supervision major work was done but not completed. We will the start the work next year after allocation of funds from central ASI. Lack of funds and manpower is the major reason for the poor maintenance of many important sites in the city,” he said.
When asked why security arrangements have not been arranged for Patel said, “There is a guard but he has been given the responsibility to look after three other temples along with the tank. Moreover, even if the guard tries to do what he should do the local people abuse him for doing his job.”
Many ASI officials believe that for the development of the tank and the area, the eviction of the nearby shops and hotels is necessary. “If we evict the area, the view will be beautiful which would attract tourists,” said Patel.
The tank area is littered with beer and whisky bottles as well as syringes. People also use the place to sleep at night as testified by pillows and bed sheets lying here and there. The tank water is unclean and stale.