The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.s1.103

v2.c17.s1.103

**Rameṣvara Temple :—**Passing on towards the north-west from this place to the distance of a little over a mile, the pilgrim comes to a place, which was once the seat of royalty. When Yayāti Keśarī first came to Bhuvaneśvara, his palace was erected here, and its ruins—an amorphous mass of rubbish—are still extant. It was then an important quarter of the town, and was known by the name of Aśoka-vana, but whether with reference to the Emperor Aśoka, or any other person, or for any predominance of Aśoka trees, it is not possible now to ascertain. Its propinquity to the northern end of the Khaṇḍagiri hills would suggest the idea that is was closely connected with the caves there, and was the nearest part of the [95] town to it. Hindu mythology carries it to a much earlier date, and associates it with the exile of Rāma. That prince, during his peregrinations, made this only spot his hermitage, and hence its name Rāmāśrama. The temple is 40 x 38 feet on the ground plan, and 78 feet high (Plate XLVIII). It is built of grey sandstone devoid of sculptured ornaments, which shows that it is of an early date. The presiding divinity is a *liṅgam*, a block of stone without any *yoni* accompaniment. Close by the temple is a tank of a moderate size, fed by a subterranean stream from the neighbouring hill. It is called Aśoka-tīrtha. Around and about this tank there are several small temples, one of which is said to have been dedicated by Lakṣmaṇa, the brother; another by Sītā, the wife; and a third by Hanumān, the monkey general of Rāma. A temple is also attributed to Bharata, another brother of Rāma, though that worthy did not accompany the exile in his peregrinations. The inconsistency, however, is immaterial, inasmuch as the element of truth in the case of Rāma’s visit is not more prominent than in that of his brother. The *Rāmāyaṇa* of Vālimīki takes Rāma to the south along the middle of the peninsula, and there is nothing trustworthy to show that he ever came to the eastern coast.