Santeswari Temple: A Buddhist Heritage Site in Odisha

Santeswari temple is a Buddhist heritage site located in Bhadrak district of Odisha. It is believed to be one of the oldest Buddhist monuments in the state, dating back to the 8th or 9th century CE. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Santeswari, who is worshipped as a form of Tara, the female Buddha of compassion.

The history and legend of Santeswari temple:

According to legend, the Santeswari temple was built by a king named Santanu, who was a devout follower of Buddhism. He was inspired by a dream in which he saw a beautiful goddess sitting on a lotus in the middle of a lake. He decided to build a temple for her on the same spot, and named it Santeswari, meaning "the goddess of Santanu".

The temple was a centre of Buddhist learning and culture for many centuries. It attracted scholars, monks, pilgrims, and traders from different parts of India and abroad. It also witnessed the visits of famous Buddhist personalities like Atisha, Padmasambhava, and Naropa.

The temple was also a witness to the history of Odisha. It survived the invasions of the Muslim rulers like Bakhtiyar Khilji and Kalapahad, who destroyed many Buddhist sites in the region. It also witnessed the rise and fall of various dynasties like the Bhauma-Karas, the Somavamsis, the Gangas, and the Suryavamsis.

The architecture and rituals of Santeswari temple

Santeswari temple is a stone structure built in the Panchayatana style of architecture. It has a square sanctum sanctorum with four smaller shrines at the corners. The main shrine houses the idol of Goddess Santeswari, made of black stone and adorned with jewellery and flowers. The idol depicts the goddess with four arms holding a lotus, a book, a rosary, and a water pot. She is seated on a lotus pedestal with two lions at her feet.

The temple is surrounded by a high wall with four gateways facing the four cardinal directions. The eastern gateway is the main entrance to the temple complex. The gateways are decorated with carvings of various Buddhist motifs like lotuses, stupas, lions, elephants, etc.

The temple is also surrounded by a moat filled with water. The moat is connected to a nearby lake by a channel. The lake is believed to be the same one where King Santanu saw his dream of the goddess.

The temple is visited by devotees throughout the year, especially during festivals like Buddha Purnima, Tara Jayanti, Durga Puja, etc. The devotees offer prayers, flowers, fruits, sweets, and lamps to the goddess. They also perform various rituals like circumambulation, meditation, chanting, etc.

Santeswari temple is a rare example of Buddhist heritage in Odisha. It is a place where one can experience the peace and compassion of Goddess Santeswari.