Yudhistar Temple & Parasuramar Temple, Mahendragiri Hill, Odisha, India

The visit to this Sri Yudhistar Temple at Mahendragiri, Odisha was a part of the “Kalinga and Ottara Desa Heritage Walk” organised by சோழ மண்டல வரலாற்றுத் தேடல் குழு, between 13th to 18th September 2024. The purpose of this Heritage walk was to see the places, monuments, etc., which are directly or indirectly connected as a proof of Rajendra Chozha’s victory mentioned in his meikeerthi/title over Kalinga and Ottara Desa, the present Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

This Yudhistar temple is one of the Shiva temples built during the 10^th to 11^th Century, in Ottara Desam, presently called Odisha State. There was no proper road to access this temple till the 20^th Century. Road forming and widening works are in progress by the Odisha Government as a part of Tourism Development.    

The temple faces west, on the west side of the road which leads to Kunti Temple. The temple only with a Sanctum sanctorum. The Sanctum sanctorum is about 4 feet below the ground level and the Shiva Lingam is at the centre. A Rishabam is in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Parivara sannidhi’s are in front of the temple without any images.

ARCHITECTURE

This temple consists of a rekha deula and a rectangular enclosure wall constructed of granite stones, dedicated to Lord Shiva the temple is facing west and rises from the ground level on the Tri-ratha plan. On elevation, the temple is comprised of pabhaga, jangh gandi, and mastaka. The bada / gabhaga consists of three mouldings (jagathy, vrudha Kumudam, and Pattikai ), while jangha is plain. The gandi has fourteen mouldings decorated with semi-circular design and tapering upwards supporting the crowning amalaka. A large vajra mastaka is depicted on the rahapaga of the gandi on the western side. The exterior part of the temple is devoid of any sculptural decoration except the Chaitya arches on Rekha paga stylistically.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple may be datable to circa 8^th Century CE by Somavamsi Kings. The meikeerthi of Rajendra Chozha records the victory over the Bengal, the northern part of India, in a war. The meikeerthi goes like this….. 

ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ

திருமன்னி வளர இருநில மடந்தையும்

போர்செயப் பாவையும் சீர்தனிச் செல்வியும்

தன்பெருந் தேவியர் ஆகி இன்புற

நெடிதியல் ஊழியுள் இடதுறை நாடும்

……..                 ……                   …….

தங்காத சாரல் வங்காள தேசமும்

தொடுகடல் சங்கு கொட்டன்மகி பாலனை

வெஞ்சமர் வளாகத்து அஞ்சுவித் தருளி

ஒன்திறல் யானையும் பெண்டிர்பண் டாரமும்

……..                 …….                  ……..

தொடுகடற் காவல் கடுமுரண் கடாரமும்

மாப்பொரு தண்டாற் கொண்ட

கோப் பரகேசரி பன்மரான

உடையார் ஸ்ரீ இராசேந்திர சோழ தேவர்க்கு யாண்டு

The 6 line inscription on the lintel of the Temple’s Sanctum Sanctorum entrance, in Nagari, three inscriptions at Kunti Temple, and the Royal Emblem of Twin fish & the squatting Tiger are the proof of Rajendra Chozha’s meikeerthi as real.   

The 6 line inscription records the Victory of Vimaladitya, the King of Kulootha, and captured the mountain like Elephants of Kalinga Kings, Killed some of them, and his Chieftain installed a Victory Sthambha, in a place where the evening Sun shines. One of the inscriptions at Kunti Temple records this. This inscription stone is used as a stepping stone paved with stone slabs.  

The Thiruvalangadu Cheppedu/Copperplate records this war. In that Rajendra Chozha Killed the Ottara Desa Royal Elephant, sitting on his Elephant. Also, he killed the Ottara Desa King and his brother. As per the Historians, The Ottara Desa King may have been South Kosala King Indrarathan and his brother Nagusan. During that period the Ottara Desa was under the control of Then Kolam. Vimadithan was chased away from the country.

Further, the copper plate records that the Chieftain Rajendra Chozha Pallavaraiyan, who was responsible for this Victory was conferred with the title of VittivaaraNamallan, and a Vira angusam was also present. Historians are of the opinion that the title was given to the Chieftain on installation of the Victory Sthamba ceremony and conferring the title, can only be done by the king. Hence it is presumed that Rajendra Chozha was involved in the war and received the Ganga water, waiting at the Godhavari River bank. 

Ref

1. The ASI Display board in front of the temple.

2. Dr. Sivaramakrishnan

 The Estempage of Chozha emblem - Twin fish and Squatting Tiger

Believed to be the Victory Sthambas installed by Rajendra Chozha

LEGENDS

The Yudhisthira temple is situated on the sacred Mahendragiri Hill, which is mentioned in Ramayana, Mahabharata as well as Puranas. There are many temples constructed on this Mahendragiri Hill, in the name of Epic Maha Bharata Characters, Yudhistar Temple, Parasuramar Temple, Bhima Temple, Kunti Temple, etc. All these temples are dedicated to Shiva.  It is believed that Pancha Pandavas lived on this hill and constructed these temples during their exile.  

It is believed that Parasurama, did a penance on Shiva to get the Parasu weapon to fight against Kshatriyas. A Parasuramar’s idol is on a platform near Yudhistar Temple.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Parivara Sannidhis

Parasuramar

Beema's temple on the top of the Hill

The author with the sign board at check post

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---