Jharsuguda: Many ancient monuments have been submerged within the Hirakud reservoir. Among them, a monument located in the submerged village of Jogini near Palsada in Lakhanpur block has been a subject of controversy for the past several years. According to local residents, this is the tomb (samadhi) of the Gauntia (village head) of Jogini village. However, based on its shape and architectural style, many historians have opined that this is not the tomb of any Hindu, but rather a Buddhist stupa.
An international-level journal published by the Odisha government has also expressed suspicion that this could be a stupa and has proposed that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) should immediately investigate and preserve it.
Structure and Condition
The brick-built monument located within the Hirakud reservoir between Palsada and Nachenmura villages has been attracting the attention of many historians for hundreds of years. This structure, made of bricks with mud mortar, stands approximately 15 feet tall from ground level. Its top is not temple-like; rather, it resembles a stupa or pyramid. Its width is estimated to be between 22 to 25 feet.
Currently, the roots of a massive peepal tree have engulfed the monument from all sides, and more than half of its bricks have already fallen off. It can be said that this monument has reached the brink of extinction.
Historical Uncertainty
Whatever may be the case, how ancient this monument is, what exactly it is, and what its historical background might be—no historian has definitively clarified these questions till date. However, many interesting facts about it are gradually coming to light.
According to local people, it is said to be the tomb of the then Gauntia of Jogini. But since the Gauntia of Jogini was a Hindu, people with interest in history have been expressing that this cannot be a Hindu tomb under any circumstances.
On the other hand, historian Deepak Panda, in a book he published about the many ancient temples and monuments submerged in the Hirakud reservoir, has mentioned this as the tomb of a nun of the Mahima Dharma. However, since the construction style matches 100 percent with Buddhist stupas, many historians have been calling it a stupa.
Expert Opinions
Recently, renowned historian Dr. Shashankashekhar Panda, in the Odisha Historical Research Journal, mentioned that this could be a Buddhist stupa and proposed that the ASI should immediately investigate and make arrangements for its preservation. According to Dr. Panda, although it may look like a headless temple (amuhan mandir), its construction style appears to be that of a Buddhist stupa.
Similarly, another famous historian Dr. Prabir Pattanayak has also clearly mentioned in many of his references that this is a stupa.
Evidence of Buddhist Presence
On the other hand, many historical evidences related to the presence of Buddhism in this area and on the other side of the Mahanadi River exist, along with Buddhist idols that are still present. Therefore, the immediate preservation and research of this monument located in Jogini has become highly relevant.
Urgent Need for Preservation
Particularly, since the monument remains surrounded by water for 8 months of the year, public access to the site is also cut off during this period. If an all-weather road is not constructed to the site and immediate protection of the monument is not undertaken, there is a risk that the remaining bricks will also fall off.
