Mahaprabhu Baladevjew

It may be more remarkable and important that history said, Lord Baladev was the “Rastra Devata” of Uttar Tosali in 4^th century A.D when Maharaja Sambhujasa was the ruler of north Tosali. Most probably Baladevjew was woeshiped by the people of north Tosali on the  “Purusa Mandap”, now situated in Jajpur district. Dr. Satyanarayan Rajguru, a famous historian of Orissa told that both Sankarshan (Baladev) and Vasudev (Purusottam) was worshipped on the Purusomanda of Udra Desh in 4^th Century A.D. But getting the royal patronage of the Boudha Kings, The followers of Budhism destroyed the Hindu gods and goddesses, when Baladev and Purusottam both were transferred by the Hindu people. At that time the deity of Baladev was transferred to Lalitagiri. After this, many years past, Lord Baladev was worshiped on the top of Lalitagiri Hill and when “Gruhasive” The King of Jajanagar further attacked to Lord Baladev and finally the  Hindu people took away the deity of Lord Baladev to Kendrapara and made the deity under ground (Patali). Some years past, a Brahmin named “Siddheswar” revived the deity of Lord Baladev from under ground. It may be notable that for this reviveness of Siddheswar, Lord Baladev in also known as “Siddha Baladev”.

The first temple of Lord Baladevjew :-  Probably the first temple of Lord Baladevjew, which was stood on the middle of the Kendrapara town, constructed by the Bhauma Maharani Tribhuban mahadevi. But some  historian remarked that the first temple of Lord Baladev was constructed by Chandihar Jajati or Popularly kanown as Maharaja Jajati, the king of  “Soma Vamsa”.

Second Temple : -  After this  the temple was ruined and Maharaja Anangavimdev III, The King of Ganga Vamsa, build an imperial temple of Lord Baladevjew in 1220 A.D. The construction time of this temple was finally declared by Kedarnath Mohapatra, the renown Historian of Orissa. But this temple was demolished by Khna-i-Dawran in 1663 A.D. 17^th June. Dr. H.K Mahatab, Dr. N.K.Sahu, Kedarnath Mohapatra and Novelist Surendranath Mohanty, are remarked this  matters in this books. When the Old temple was destroyed by Sudedar Khan-i-Dawran, This Sebakas transfered the deities of Lord Baladev, Subhadra and Jagannath to “Sakhibata”. Near about seven years Lord Baladev was worshipped at “Sakhibata”.

Third or Present Temple : -  The Present Temple or The “Bada Deula” was constructed by the king of Chhedara named Jagannath Mohapatra in 1720 A.D and Lord Baladev transferred to this temple and worshiped from 1720 A.D. In 1751 A.D a Mahanata Saint named Gopi ramanuja Das became the sole administrator of the temple by Raghuji Bhonsala. History said, the Holy monk Gopi Das was a blood related of Raghuji Bhonsala. Gopidas became the first ‘Mahanta’ of Baladevjew Math. Saint Gopi Das was noble, kind  and a good builder. He constructed the 2^nd and 3^rd temple or the temple of Bhoga Mandap and Jagaamohan Temple in 1780 A.D by collecting lands and money from the Zamidars of the area.

The temple of Lord Baladevjew  stands on the bank of Old Madhusaagar, means “Sweet Ocean”. For centuries Tulasi Kshetra  is an important centre of Hindu worship,  famous alike for sanctity and historic associations. Hence Tulasi Kshetra is otherwise known as Brahma Kshetra, Gupta Kshetra, Gupta Brindabana and Shree Siddha Baladev Kshetra.

There are four temple inside the campus of Tulasi kshetra – The main temple or Viman, The Bhagamandap, The Jagamohan and Bata Mandir or entrance temple.

The Viman or Main Temple : - The Viman or main temple, otherwise known as “Garva Griha” is a “Pidha Mandir”, which constructed with nine Pidhas. It may be said that the whole structure of four temples were made by stone. The height of the main temple near about 75 feets from the ground. It is a quadrangular temple having each side 35 feet.

The Bhoga Mandap :- Near about 40 feets height of Bhogamandap or the middle temple is closely attached with the main temple. It has three doors, mainly maintain for the sevakas and public entrance. When the thickness of the walls of the Viman is 22fets, the middle temple passess only 18feet. It was constructed by the first Mahanta Gopi ramanuja Das in 1780 A.D.

Jagamohan : - The hight of the temple Jagamohan is 60feets and it is also a quadrangular temple of 30 feets in each side. There are seven steps and infront of the temple for entrance of people. There are two small temple named “Chandra Mandir” ‘Moon Temple’ and Surya Mandir or Sun Temple closely attached in two side of the Jagamohan. There is a stone pillar named “Garuda Stambha” (Stambha) stands on the middle of the Jagamohan inside and whole of the innerside of this temple are painted with many mythological pictures and images. It has four doors.

Entrance Temple or Bata Deula :- History said that this temple was constructed by Zamidar Jagannath Bramarbar Ray, the son of Radhashyama Narendra in 1876 A.D. It secured 72feets in height and the lion gate in infront of this temple. Orisan make with a crown on its head, which gives the date its name. In the propylacum at the lion gate on the northern side of this temple, there is the image of Patitapaban.

The Sun Pillar: -  In front of the entrance temple or “Bata Deula” to the eastern gateway there is a beautiful Sun Pillar (Arun Stambha). The sun pillar is a monolithee shaft of chiorite worthsixteen sides. It is 35 feets in height and 6 feets and 3 inches in circumference . The images of Aruna in a praying position is on the Top of the Sun Pillar. In the present situation the pillar is about one century and half old but its execution dates from the early part of the 18^th century.

The temple has one big concentric wall with three gates, two in east side and one in west side. The height of the compound wall is 15feet and the whole areas of the compound near about four acres.

Reference : - Translated by Niranjan Mekap from book of Siddha Baladev   “O” Tulasi Kshetra – Written By Niranjan Mekap