Podagada monuments lying in utter neglect
Podagada monuments, a rich source of history are lying in total neglect. Till date no archaeological survey has been made in this district. Well endowed by nature, the place is yet to be developed as tourist spot.
By: Basant Rath,Journalist. merinews.com Thu, Oct 16, 2008 13:59:11 IST
AT A time when the tourism sector is searching for development agenda, the tourism potential of this tribal-dominated district remains untapped. The district has many historic places, including Podagada, Papadahandi Siva shrine, Chatahandi Siva shrine, lying in utter neglect.
Podagada is a historic place situated 52 kms away from Nabarangpur where Brami inscriptions can be found. Podagada is rich in lapidary inscription, sculptures, ruined forts temples, coins. Stone inscriptions found here says that Puskari, the capital of Nala remind us of the Nala rulers.
From the 4th to 5th century AD, the Nalas rose to prominence with their head quarters at Puskari, modern Umerkote tehsil of Nabarangpur district. Four of their inscriptions, two on stone have history engraved on them.
The copper plate inscriptions are Rithapur plates of King Bhavadatta Verman and the Kesari Bedha plates of King Arthapati. The rise of the Nalas posed a great challenge to the prestige and power of the Vakataka monarchs and a clash between powers become inevitable.
The temporary eclipse of the Nala power has been referred to the Podagada stone inscription of Nabarangpur district, from where it was known that the lost glory and prestige of the Nala dynasty was retrieved by Scandaverman, after defeating the Vakatakas soon after the Nala were completely defeated by Chalukya Kirtiverman. About 60 gold coins discovered between 1939 and 1957 speak volumes about the then rulers too. In 1939, 32 gold coins belonging to the kings Varaharaja, Arthapati raja, and Bhavadutta Verman were discovered.
The coins had figures of Nala legends on them. The scripts of legends are popularly known as the “box-headed type”. In May 1957, 28 gold coins were discovered from the forest of Kodinga tehsil of Nabarangpur district. History tells us originally the place was under Nalas, and subsequently went to the possession of the Nagas. The gold coins which were discovered have opened a new field of research so far as the Nagas are concerned. Till to-day no archaeological survey has been made in this district and antiquities so far available are rather very low.
The ruin queen palace, foot print of goddess Laxmi, Sati stone, Bhairab temple, Madagam Dongri, Bhi Bhauni, Nandagada, Gumphs, Punji, Belghari, Tangapani, are places of historic importance but are lying unprotected.
The sun and moon statues talk about the art, culture, and civilization of the Nalas dynasty. Podagada has immense potential of tourism.
Apart from the podagada, the district has other tourism attractions in the form of Siva shrine, deer park, Sahid Smrutistamba, are the place of historic antiquity situated at Papdahandi. Chandan Dhara, Gosain Dor, water falls situated in the Jharigam block. Chatahandi Siva shrine, and Gumpha, situated in the Nabarangpur block.
The shrine of Ghumerswar Siva Lingam, situated in Tentulikhunti Block, the shrine of Kelia Siva Lingam, and goddess Parvati nestles on a lush green hill, situated in Dabugam block, Maa Bhandargharani, the presiding deity of Nabrangpur, and Maa Pendrani the presiding deity of Umerkote, Khatiguda Indravati water reservoir, are tourism importance.
The place is yet to be developed as tourism spot. Lack of infrastructure, funds crunch and inept planning have together stunted the growth of tourism in the district. The district is generously endowed by nature.
The vast heritage wealth of Podagada is an added attraction but Nabarangpur still fails to boost its tourist traffic. Absence of package tours and publicity is mainly responsible for the poor turnout of tourists.
01 September 2009
Podagada monuments lying in utter neglect
Podagada monuments, a rich source of history are lying in total neglect. Till date no archaeological survey has been made in this district. Well endowed by nature, the place is yet to be developed as tourist spot.
By: Basant Rath,Journalist. merinews.com Thu, Oct 16, 2008 13:59:11 IST
AT A time when the tourism sector is searching for development agenda, the tourism potential of this tribal-dominated district remains untapped. The district has many historic places, including Podagada, Papadahandi Siva shrine, Chatahandi Siva shrine, lying in utter neglect.
Podagada is a historic place situated 52 kms away from Nabarangpur where Brami inscriptions can be found. Podagada is rich in lapidary inscription, sculptures, ruined forts temples, coins. Stone inscriptions found here says that Puskari, the capital of Nala remind us of the Nala rulers.
From the 4th to 5th century AD, the Nalas rose to prominence with their head quarters at Puskari, modern Umerkote tehsil of Nabarangpur district. Four of their inscriptions, two on stone have history engraved on them.
The copper plate inscriptions are Rithapur plates of King Bhavadatta Verman and the Kesari Bedha plates of King Arthapati. The rise of the Nalas posed a great challenge to the prestige and power of the Vakataka monarchs and a clash between powers become inevitable.
The temporary eclipse of the Nala power has been referred to the Podagada stone inscription of Nabarangpur district, from where it was known that the lost glory and prestige of the Nala dynasty was retrieved by Scandaverman, after defeating the Vakatakas soon after the Nala were completely defeated by Chalukya Kirtiverman. About 60 gold coins discovered between 1939 and 1957 speak volumes about the then rulers too. In 1939, 32 gold coins belonging to the kings Varaharaja, Arthapati raja, and Bhavadutta Verman were discovered.
The coins had figures of Nala legends on them. The scripts of legends are popularly known as the “box-headed type”. In May 1957, 28 gold coins were discovered from the forest of Kodinga tehsil of Nabarangpur district. History tells us originally the place was under Nalas, and subsequently went to the possession of the Nagas. The gold coins which were discovered have opened a new field of research so far as the Nagas are concerned. Till to-day no archaeological survey has been made in this district and antiquities so far available are rather very low.
The ruin queen palace, foot print of goddess Laxmi, Sati stone, Bhairab temple, Madagam Dongri, Bhi Bhauni, Nandagada, Gumphs, Punji, Belghari, Tangapani, are places of historic importance but are lying unprotected.
The sun and moon statues talk about the art, culture, and civilization of the Nalas dynasty. Podagada has immense potential of tourism.
Apart from the podagada, the district has other tourism attractions in the form of Siva shrine, deer park, Sahid Smrutistamba, are the place of historic antiquity situated at Papdahandi. Chandan Dhara, Gosain Dor, water falls situated in the Jharigam block. Chatahandi Siva shrine, and Gumpha, situated in the Nabarangpur block.
The shrine of Ghumerswar Siva Lingam, situated in Tentulikhunti Block, the shrine of Kelia Siva Lingam, and goddess Parvati nestles on a lush green hill, situated in Dabugam block, Maa Bhandargharani, the presiding deity of Nabrangpur, and Maa Pendrani the presiding deity of Umerkote, Khatiguda Indravati water reservoir, are tourism importance.
The place is yet to be developed as tourism spot. Lack of infrastructure, funds crunch and inept planning have together stunted the growth of tourism in the district. The district is generously endowed by nature.
The vast heritage wealth of Podagada is an added attraction but Nabarangpur still fails to boost its tourist traffic. Absence of package tours and publicity is mainly responsible for the poor turnout of tourists.
