The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.146

v2.c17.146

**Tirthesvara Temple** :—The area to the north of the Sahasra liṅgam tank along the road leading to the Vindusāgara tank is covered by huts, some of which are occupied by shops, others intended for the use of pilgrims. These huts extend as far as the point where the Tongapurā road joins the tank road, and at the north-east corner of this junction there is a small temple of no architectural pretension, but of considerable age and sanctity. Formerly it had a large flower garden behind it; but that is now overgrown with jungle. The temple has no separate porch, but in the place were the porch should have been, there is a small masonry terrace, 3 feet high, which served as an excellent camping-ground for me. There are two large banian trees on the right side, and under their shade with my tent pitched on the terrace, I was very comfortable for the time I spent at Bhuvaneśvara. The divinity of the temple ordinarily receives but little attention. A Brāhmaṇa comes every morning to offer him a few *bel* leaves, a couple of flowers, and a cupful of water, after which the door of the temple is closed for the day. But on the 14th of the waxing moon in Caitra, (p. [79]) it becomes the seat of great festivity. The proxy of Bhuvaneśvara is on that day brought to the place, and all the people of the neighbourhood assemble to offer him sprigs of thyme.