Bindusagar Tank

Bindusagar Tank
Location
Country:	India
State:	Odisha
Location:	Bhubaneshwar
Architecture and culture
Architectural styles:	Kalingan Pancharatha Style (Kalinga Architecture)
History
Date built: (Current structure)	7th/8th century A.D.

Bindusagar Tank is located in the right side of the Talabazar road leading from Kedargouri Chowk to Lingaraja Temple, Old Town, Bhubaneswar.It is now under the care and maintenance of Lingaraja Temple Administration. The tank is enclosed within a masonry embankment made of dressed laterite blocks. It is the largest water body of Bhubaneswar. All the rituals of Lord Lingarajaa are closely associated with this tank.

Tradition & legends

According to the local tradition, Siva and Parvati after their marriage came to Varanasi. But with the passage of time, Varanasi became a populated area. So Lord Siva and Parvati left Varanasi and looked for a new place. At last Siva and Parvati choose Ekamrakshetra as their abode when it was under the control of two demons Kirti and Vasa. Parvati killed the two demons by pressing them into the ground with her feet. That particular place became famous as Devi Padahara. After killing the demons Parvati felt very thirsty and to quench her thirst lord Siva struck his trident at this place, out of which a spring came out. The water was then sanctified by collecting the waters of all rivers, streams and ultimately took the shape of a large water body. Which is today known as Bindusagar.

Age

i) Approximate date: 7th / 8th Century A.D.

ii) Source of Information: Because the temples of both formative phase to final phase are found on its embankments, the tank precede.

Physical description

i) Surrounding: The tank has embankments on all the four sides. The temple of Ananta Vasudeva stands on the eastern embankment across the road, Mohini temple in southern embankment at a distance of 13.00 mtrs, Markandesvara temple in south-eastern embankment within a distance of 20.00 mtrs, Uttaresvara temple precinct in northern embankments.

ii) Orientation: Bathing ghats are provided with steps made of large size laterite blocks in all sides.

iii) Architectural features (Plan and Elevation): Rectangular on plan measuring 450 mtrs in length, 175 mtrs in breadth and 7.00 mtrs in depth. At the centre of the tank there is a pidha shrine what the locals call as Jagati. During the Chandan Yatra, held in the month of May, Lord Lingaraja visits the shrine by navigating through a boat. Chandan Yatra is the main function of the tank associated with Lord Lingaraja.

iv) Decorative features: The tank is surrounded by a series of shrines. Eastern embankment: Dwarabasini, Ananta Vasudeva, Brahma, Hanuman etc. Western Embankments: Lingaraja rest house, Nilakanthesvara, Akhadachandi, Paschimesvara and Markandesvara Temple.Northern embankments: Uttaresvara Temple precinct, Emara Matha, Southern embankment: Swarnadhiswara Bhabanisankar, Sari deula, Mohini temple, Akhandalamani / Panchanana etc.

v) Building material: Dressed laterite blocks.

vi) Construction techniques: Dry masonry

vii) Special features, if any: It is fed by a natural spring from the underground. The excess and waste water is discharged through an outlet channel in the south eastern wall, beneath the Talabazar road near Dalmiya Dharmasala. The outlet channel measures 1.18 mtrs in height and 1.07 mtrs in width. As a result, the water level of the tank remains constant throughout the year. Despite such provisions made in the past to keep the tank water clean and fresh now the water is one of the most polluted among the water bodies in the city, which need special care and attention.

References

1. Debala Mitra, Bhubaneswar, New Delhi, 1958, P. 60.
2. L. S.S. O’ Malley, Bengal District Gazetter Puri, Calcutta 1908, P. 243.
3. M.M. Ganguly, Orissa and Her Remains, Calcutta, 1912, P. 269.
4. N. K. Sahu (Ed), A History of Orissa, Vol. II, Delhi, 1980, P. 270.
5. R. P. Mohapatra, Archaeology in Orissa, Vol.I, Delhi, 1986, P. 82.
6. R. L. Mitra. The Antiquities of Orissa, Vol. II, Calcutta, 1963, P. 118-121.