Toshali Sands

Journey into another dimension

Harisankar and Nrusimhanath I had heard a lot abut Orissa, its wonderful Temples, Beaches and Wild-life. About Puri, Konark and Bhubaneswar. A friend suggested that I make a trip to the western best of Orissa. So I decided to visit Harisanakar Nrusimhnath.

After arriving at Bolangir, I hired a Jeep at a Travel Agency near the Bus stand. The chilly early morning breeze announce the approaching winter - the topography was quite different from the golden triangle long stretches of land with spares foliage in sharp contrast to the lush vegetation of Puri district. The driver spoke in Hindi and Oriya and I was astounded at the way he spoke Hindi –he explained that the people of western Orissa had a multi-cultural identify because of their proximity to Madhaya Pradesh.

We stopped at a nearby Dhaba to luch. And the food was out of this world - After washing it down with Lassi we continued towards our destination. We reached Harisankar in the late evening. We had traveled 81 kms since morning. On the way, I had clicked more than a doger times my Nkon - companion of many and andus journey was with me again.

After a pleasant night’s stay at the Panthsala. I set out the next morning to savour the charm of Harisankar I, first, want to the famous Hrisankar Temple situated on the slope of the step Gandhamardan Hills. The architecture of the Temple was very different from the more well known Orissa style. It was minimalist and not so elaborate in its design and sculpture. There were a few visitors. I then made way to the water - falls nearby and was enthralled by the sound of guishing water which flowed unabated. The block rocks only heightened the stark primitive beauty of the place. Trekking down the slope of the Gnahdamardan Hills, made way to the Nrusimhanath Temple which was situated at the foot of the Hills. This tempoe of Vidala - Nrusimha also know as Nusimhanath was known as ‘Haranapapa’ destroyer of sins in the early Christian Era. It also finds a mention in Hiuen - Tsang’s memories as Po-Lo-Mo-Lo Ki - Li or Parimeagiri - an important Centre of Buddhist culture. I was told by the guide of many ruins which can be found on the plateaus at the hill top.

The Hills in the Ramayan which Hanuman carried on his shoulders to save the life of Lakshman and which had the sanjivani plant growing in it, is considered by many to he the Gandhamardan Hill of Nrusimhnath. The Hill has a wide range of medicinal herbs which is used for treating a number of diseases. 165 km away from Sambalpur and 100 kms from Bargarh, Nrusimhanath and Harisankar bring forth another dimension. A place which will linger in your memory for years to come.