The first time I heard about the historic Bankadagada was about 2 years back from a report published on a local TV news channel. The Shailodbhava rulers, one of the ancient dynasties of Odisha, had chosen Bankadagada as their capital. In between 6th to 7th Century, Bankadagada, was a flourishing kingdom. The Shailodbhavas considered as one of the earliest temple builders of Odisha had built a beautiful temple at this place which is presently addressed as "Swapneswar Shiva Temple," located about 20 kms away from Banapur city of Khurda district, in a small village called Niladri Prasad.
On 15th January, I explored this ancient site of Bankadagada. Sri Tapas Ranjan Sarangi who is a local from Banapur area had assisted me a lot by sharing some valuable information and the route map.
The road that connects Niladri Prasad from Banapur is extremely scenic. Being a part of Barbara forest, it provides amazing views of nature, and thrills you its sheer beauty. Bankadagada is located in the borderline of Khurda and Ganjam district, and is also not far from another well known tourist destination, Salia dam.
According to folklore, the reigning King, Pulinda Sen, heard a divine voice during his sleep, that his successor would descend from the mountains of Mahendragiri. The King eventually found his successor and coronated him as the King of Bankadagada.
Bankadagada gets mentioned in the texts of famous Chinese traveller Xuanzang, who is believed to have visited the Kingdom in the 7th century.
The present day temple is a panchayatana temple, having four smaller subsidiary temples around the main temple, where a huge Shiva Linga is worshiped, as the presiding deity. Although, in ruins, it still reflects its architectural magnificence. Most of the figures carved in the temple walls are unidentified sculptures, from earlier period of temple building. There is a big stone slab found at the entrance to the temple that contains ancient Pali inscriptions along with a huge Sahasra Linga which is worshiped inside the subsidiary temple located in the north eastern corner of the temple.
To get exact Google location of Bankadagada please search in Google map using the exact keywords.. Shree Swapneshwar Temple, Rigidisima.
By Deepak Kumar Nayak
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