The Antiquities of Orissa v2.c18.3

v2.c18.3

[ 145 ] The four most important places of pilgrimage in the province of Orissa are, according to the *Kapila Saṁhitā*, Cakra Kṣetra or Bhuvaneśvara ; Śaṅkha Kṣetra or Puri ; Padma Kṣetra or Koṇārak and Gadā Kṣetra or Yājapur. Two others are also named as places of great sanctity ; viz., Śambhu Kṣetra or Kapilās Hill and Vināyaka Kṣetra or Darpaṇa ; but they are of later date and devoid of all antiquarian interest. Of the four principal places, the first two are held in the highest estimation and most extensively visited by pilgrims. Representing the two leading gods of the modern Hindus, Śiva and Viṣṇu, they claim the most exalted sanctity and have prominent mention made of them in most Sanskrit works on pilgrimage. They are likewise highly interesting to the antiquarian, as they contain some of the most magnificent architectural remains to be met with in India. The other two have lost all importance in the eyes of the faithful. Koṇārak is totally deserted and Yājapur, though lying on the highway to Cuttack and serving as a halting-place for pilgrims in their way to Puri, is rarely resorted to as a place of pilgrimage. The former, however, contains the ruins of perhaps the largest and most beautiful temple which was ever erected by the northern Hindus, and as such is worthy of the attention of the archæologist.