Nilakantheswar Temple

Nilakantheswar Temple at Padmapur, standing on the Jagamanda hills makes the village well known for the Buddhist temple. The temple is built on only seven rocks. There are also three other shiva temples, i.e. Pudukeswar, Dhabaleswar, and Mallikeswar, on the hillock. This 7th century old buddhist temple makes Padmapur a tourist center of Rayagada district.[1][2] The temple is very often referred as shrine of Manikeswar Siva.[3] Recently a small cemented front hall has been added to the original structure.

Nilakantheswar temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DeityLord Shiva
Location
LocationPadmapur
StateOdisha
CountryIndia
Location in Odisha
Geographic coordinates19°14′34″N 83°49′05″E
Architecture
Completed07th century A.D.
InscriptionsBramhi

History

The temple dates back to the 7th century. Padma Shri Dr. Satyanarayana Rajguru, an eminent historian and epigraphist,[4] relying on a buddhist inscription found on one of the rocks of the temple, identifies that the temple once housed the buddhist logician-philosopher, Dharmakirti.[5] It is the only Buddhist monastery in Rayagada district of the Indian state of Odisha.[6] The festival of Maha Sivaratri is celebrated here. Visitors and devotees visit this place, the special day being Tuesday.

References
  1. Patra, Dasarathy. Tribal Tourism and Culture (PDF). Orissareview-November,2011. pp. 63–68. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  2. "Identified as a tourist center of Rayagada district in Orissa Tourism Portal"
  3. "Tourist attractions of Rayagada district"
  4. "Padmashree Dr. Satyanarayana Rajguru-An eminent personality"
  5. "Buddhism in Odisha"
  6. "Buddhist temples in Rayagada district"


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