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Nrusinghanatha is one of the outstanding Vaishnava
Temple of West Orissa located at the foot of Gandhamardan
hill in the district of Bargarh. Nrusinghanatha, the largest seat
of Narasingha worship lies in the foothills of Gandhamardan hill
range, located 120 km from Bargarh.
This temple houses the legendary deity "Marjyra
Keshari" by the fourth Chauhan ruler of Patnagarh kingdom (Modern
Patnagarh of Bolangir district), Baijaldev in the cyclic year
Vikari on Husta Nakshatra, Friday the full moon day of
Chaitra corresponding to the 17th AD as per the temple
inscription. Incidentally it may be noted that this inscription
discloses the evolutionary phase of Oriya script from that of the
Brahmi.
The temple built in 1413 A.D stands
majestically amidst boulders and the crevice, series of cascades
and rapid murmuring rivulets, vendant trees, strubs and medicinal
herbs. The temple has been dedicated to Lord Nrusinghanath in his
feline incarnation (Marjyara Keshari). The image of Marjyara
Keshari of black chronite stone having the head of cat and
body of lion is the presiding deity of the sanctum. Such image
worship is not found anywhere in the country.
The most important part of Narsinghnath is the stone inscription
found on the wall of the temple. The famous Gandhamardan hills
popularly known as "Ayurvedists Paradise". The hill as myths say,
was carried by Hanuman after he failed to locate the Bisalya
Karani, a medicinal plan. It is said that a part of the hill had
broken while it was being carried by Hanuman.
The temples here reveal high standard of Chauhan
architecture exemplified "KEDARNATH TEMPLE", Ambabhona and
Samaleswari Temple in Barpali. Bhatli located 16 kms away from
Bargarh town, houses the temple of Shyam Bihari, reckoned as
India's second Khatu of Rajasthan. Bhatli's car Festival of Lord
Dadhi Baman is also of much significance.
Sri Sri Bisweswar Baba of Saranda located in NH-6
27 kms away from Sambalpur towards Bargarh between Godbhaga and
Attabira is one of the Saiba Pitha among the Astasambhu. It is an
ancient Saiba Pitha.
Except the temple one will find the long Barapahad
hills running South West for a distance of nearly 48 kms. This
hills forms a barrier to communication with the rest of the
subdivision. The Borasambar tract lies to the South west of the
Bargarh plain. It is bounded by hills on the north
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