The strong passion for history and the regular traveller to a new location compel me to search a hidden treasure of Indian culture and architecture.This is how my journey began at the second week of January to know more about the Haripur Garh of Mayurbhanja District of Odisha. No doubt ,the whole place is surrounded by natural forests and local tribals who lives with their traditional way.
No care is there to restore the fort .Few tourist from local areas who visit there had no botheration except taking selfie photos of their own. Due to negligence the historical fort has been gradually diminishing with the passing of each day.
So many events and stories attached with this place. Before shifting to this place the Royals of Mayurbhanja had built their strong base at Khiching. Due to the threat and attack of Tughlaq Dynasty Firuz Shah on 1361 the Bhanja ruler shifted to Haripur.
The structure that exists on the palace premises include Rasikray Temple,parts of the fort and the main gate.Sources said that another temple has already been buried due to neglect.In the past,several secret chambers,artifacts and weapons used by the then rulers have been discovered.
The architectural style is very similar to the temple of Bishnupur .The whole temple is made by brick . Even the design and small motifs and statue are very aesthetically carved on the bricks.
One cannot imagine the artisans skill without visiting there personally.The arches and domes are the main attraction for every visitors. Though there is no idols inside the temple but it remain as a epic center for the historical point of view.
Felt great to be a tourist and remembered our rulers who achieved by their strong civil work as well as their responsibility to change the whole scenario by their brave administrative skills and educational policy.
Date--17th Jan.2020.
Once reached at the Anandbrindabanpur which is our ancestral village of our forefathers, I hold my breath for a moment to see the ambience. Touched to the point where all houses mostly made of mud stood like a part of different world where every bit of nature attracts to the vision of human being as well as animals.Too much imbibing with the place I enquired about the Royal garh of erstwhile King of Mayurbhanj.
While moving towards Haripur ,which was just 2km distance from Anandpur, we came across so many locals who were going to attend the Mela where at the time of Sankranti so many programmes were arranged like cock fighting and tribal dance. They burnt the effigy of Ravan at this time. This is how the local tribals celebrated the festive of new year along with the Uttarayan of Sun God so also this is their main festival for the enjoyment of production of Rice from their land.
Haripur,which is very close to Baripada,is a place where a palace had built by the Bhanja dynasty in Badasahi block.Nothing was there to watch except a foundation of fort and few temples. It was once called as the Leaning Palace,because of its grandeur and beautiful construction of the fort and palace.
The then king of Mayurbhanja Maharaja Shri Harihara Bhanja had built the palace at Haripur because of its geographical surroundings.
Spread over 25 acre land,the palace that comprises the fort,temples and other structures is situated on the banks of Budhabalang river and surrounded by villages and forest.
Among all these the attention moves towards Rasika Ray temple.It was built by the influence of Gaudiya style.
Place-Haripur Garh
