The second heritage walk of the historic Temple City started with a lovely musical note, as flutist Jagat Ranjan Patnaik came with select morning raagas on his instrument as a ‘jugalbandi’ to the historic event inside the precincts of the Mukteswar Temple. As the flute recital came as a nice surprise, the heritage walk enthusiasts also gathered around and listened to the fine music before taking their walk around the priceless historic monuments in the Old Town area.
The flutist first played two exclusive morning raagas ‘Ahair Bhairav’ and ‘Vivash’ and later as the time progressed, changed to ‘Hans Dwani’ and ‘Pilu’, also another two beautiful raagas.
As a change in the route map, the famous Suka and Sari Deula complex was added to the Ekamra Walks and the participants were surprised to see the craftsmanship associated with the building of the twin temples near the western bank of Bindusagar lake and very adjacent to the old Sanskrit College in the Heritage District.
It can be mentioned here that this year the Archaeological Survey of India has started the renovation work of the Sari Temple, as it belongs to them. After visiting the temple complex, nearby Sanskrit College and an old mutt, the walkers reached the parikrama along the banks of Bindusagar lake and saw another renovation work at Mohini Temple, undertaken by the Odisha State Archaeology.
Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Upendra Nath Behera, Special Secretary General Administration Department Ashok K Meena and Principal Secretary Finance Tuhin Kanta Pandey were among who participated.
After the Parikrama along Bindusagar, the group went to Vaitaal Temple to see its unique architectural aspects and its association with different schools of religious affiliations. At Ekamra Van senior official of Forest Department Ashok Mishra explained the concept of the unique medicinal garden with 220 plant species and how it has been divided catering to Ayurvedic medicinal plants for men, women and
kids.
Instructor from University of Oregon, US, Stephina Brewer, who joined the Ekamra Walks group just near Ekamra Van, said, “People are really great, helpful and events like Ekamra Walks will really push the tourism agenda to the forefront.’’