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Located in the sacred
Gandhamardan Hills, which according to legends, Hanuman
carried on his shoulders from the Himalayas as described in
the ancient epic Ramayana, the temple at Nrusinghanath is an
important pilgrimage site.
It is also an exceedingly fascinating and beautifully
located temple and is worth the journey to this rather
remote spot.The present temple, located at the source of the
Papaharini stream, is a 14th century structure built on a
more ancient site.
The four pillars within the Jagmohana suggest that the
earlier temple was built in the 9th century. The beautiful
doorframes have been dated to the 11th century.
The site of the temple is unique. Stone steps wind up the
hillside behind the temple, leading past a waterfall, and
eventually curving under the falls to a spot where some
beautiful, and very well- preserved relief sculptures are
found.
The climb to the carvings and return journey will take about
an hour. Since shoes are not permitted on these sanctified
pilgrimage steps, those with tender feet should take along a
pair of heavy socks
for the climb.
On the opposite slope of the hill on which the temple is
located, is the Harishankar Temple.
Between the two temples there is a 16 km. plateau, littered
with Buddhist ruins that scholars feel may be the remains of
the ancient university of Parimalagiri, referred to by the
seventh-century Chinese traveler Hiuen T'sang as
'Po-lo-mo-lo-ki-li'.
The trek along this plateau is a long one, but for the
serious student of history, it is an unforgettable
experience.
Distance by air- Bhubaneswar 488 Kms
By Rail/Road- Sambalpur 164 kms and Bargarh 116 Kms.
Contact
Nrusinghanath Temple
AT-Durgapali, PO- Paikmal
PIN-768039 DIST: Bargarh
Orissa, India
TEL: +91-06684-230514
Cell: 9437534862
website: www.nrusinghanathtemple.com
Email: eo@nrusinghanathtemple.com
odisha.com web directory:
http://www.odisha.com/2010/nrusinghanath/
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