Jaugada: Connecting History and Mythology
JAUGADA Connecting History and Mythology
Jaugada rock edict, the huge black granite trock on the hillock of Malati range of hills in the district of Ganjam, about 30 kms north-west of Berhampur in South Orissa is famous as Ashokan rock edict. Enmgraved on Pali scripts and the instructions addressed to the “Rajabachanika”, the administrative officers, give the information about the administration of king Ashoka . Jaugada, associated with a fort inside which the edict bearing hillock is situated.
The edict was built by Ashoka the great in 260 B.C. near Samap, the second largest capital city of ancient Kalinga, which is in ruins now. The ruined fort and other archaeological remains are seen around on the south bank of river Rushikulya.
The local legend says, “the place belongs to Mahabharata era where Durodhan built the fort to burn aliva Pandava brothers insides ‘Jaughara” from which the name Jaugada had been derived.” The fort only unknown to most of the enemy invaders. This secret was disclosed at last to the enemy by a milkmaid leading to the burning and fall of the fort. The cursed stone image of the maid still stands near the site.
Three kilomter to the south of Jaugada lies Gupteswara, a cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva on the foot of a hill. The hill is an ideal spot for picnic, rock clombing and adventure walks. Mythological remains like stone images of five Pandava brothers, their sitting stones bathing tub of Draupadi, chariot wheel sign on stone etc are seen around.
The site jaugada is protected monuments and a tourist place.
Access:
By Air: The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar, 150 km away
By Rail: the nearest railways station is Behrampur on south eat ern railway
By Road: the site is connected to purushottampur, 5 km away which is well connected to Behrampur and Bhubaneswar from Purushopttampur public transport and taxis are available.
Accommodation: Not available at the site. The visitor has to stay at Berhampur.
Facilities: Other facilities like rest, shed, drinking water, food, shop, information counter etc are not avialable at the site. The visitor has to carry all.
