The Shiv Temple on the scenic hill ranges of Kapilash in Dhenkanal district has geared up to celebrate the Maha Sivaratri and Jagara Mela on February 21.
While the holy book Ishan Samhita claims the Sivalinga had appeared there before the Vedic Age, a legend has it that Lord Siva appeared at the Kapilash hill after being pleased with the severe penance of King Saudasha. Ever since, Kapilash has been counted as one of the famous Shaivite hubs across the country.
On the Maha Sivaratri, Lord Chandra Sekhar is worshipped with Sodasha Upachara and Rudradrabhiseka. Amidst blowing of conch and Turi and ululations, the Mahadeepa is raised onto the temple top. Lord Chandrasekhar is awakened from his cosmic sleep.
Being adorned with Nagavarana Vesha, Lord Chandra Sekhar meets Lord Narayana which is called as the Harihara Bheta.
A priest said that apart from being adorned with Banarashi Patta and valuable ornaments, the Linga and Shakthi are covered with Bel leaf, Gayasa and Champa flowers made of gold. The entire hill range appears like a galaxy as countless devotees seat the entire night by illuminating their earthen lamps (Deepa).
The temple history reveals that Ganga Vansi King Langula Narasingha Dev had constructed the 60feet high temple of Lord Chandra Sekhar in 1246. Earlier, Ganga Vansi prince Ananga Bhima Dev had surrendered before the Lord at Kapilash to be released from the sin of Bramhahatya (killing a Brahmin), being directed by Lord Jagannath in a divine dream. But at that time, the prince traced the self emerged Siva Linga being covered with leaves and he named the Lord as Sikhareswara.
Later, the Kasi Biswanath temple, Narayan temple, Jagamohan, Manikaranika Kunda, Papanasini Kunda, Japa Mandapa and twelve curved roads to the temple were constructed by the royal family of Dhenkanal. Reportedly, the 1,352 steps were constructed with public donation to climb the hill range. The idol of Lord Narayan has been so designed that a perennial spring flows from nail of its right foot.
Besides, Jugabdhi Purana written by Santh Balaram Das, describes that Lord Rama during his 14 years of exile had stayed at hills of Sapta Sajya and Kapilash for a few days along with Laxmana and Sita. The existence of a cave on the hill top named as Sitanka Entudisala, an idol of the monk Balmiki and a pile of stones called as Deba Sabha support the belief.
The absence of crow in the entire hill range is still a mystery. Even though a number of poisonous snakes move in the hill, curiously only two have died so far in Kapilash due to snake bite and that too due to wrath of the Lord. It is said one died in snake bite for allegedly consuming onion with the Lord’s prasad and another for an attempt to molest a female devotee.
The State Government has spent Rs 23 lakh during the year 2017-18 for Kapilash to promote tourism potentiality of the place. A zoo at the foot hill has not yet been developed fully. However, a science park attracts the tourists and picnickers.