Toshali Sands

These shrines are there in the old palace of Gajapati kings of Puri (Orissa). Now the historical Royal Palace is situated in the grand trunk road (Bada danda) of Puri. This is a new Palace. The old Palace was there in Bali Sahi. From the Sourthen door of Lord Jagannath temple one can go to this place. The Astasambhu and Syamakali were the family deities of the Gajapati kings. ‘Syamakali’ is a Tantric deity who was very powerful, the ‘Astasambhu the eight Siva lingas’, as it is said, have cured once the ancient king from a fatal disease. Here each linga is as beautiful like the Visvanath of Kasi. Each one of them is of a different colour. Some are white while some are red and black. Thus they are very attractive to devotees. Due to the reflection of the Sun their colour changes. As such, such types Astasambhu are very rare perhaps in the entire country.