The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c17.s1.353

v2.c17.s1.353

1. The Svargadvāra, or the gateway to heaven, covers about half a mile of the sandy beach towards the south-western corner of the town. It was here that Brahmā descended when he came down with Indradyumna to consecrate his sacred images. There is nothing to mark the spot, but every pilgrim is bound to go there and have a dip in the salt water for the salvation of his soul. It is the open door to heaven and the dip is equivalent to entering the sacred region which lies beyond it. The very sight of it, says the *Kapila Saṃhitā*, effects redemption from the sin of Brahmanicide and ensures more merit than what can be acquired by bathing successively in the Ganges, the Sarasvatī and the Godavari [140] rivers.