25th Dhenkanal Heritage Walk explores Manipur village and Radhakanta Jew Temple

Bhubaneswar, May 19: The 25th edition of the Dhenkanal Heritage Walks (DHW) took participants on an enriching trail around the Radhakanta Jew Temple in Manipur village on Sunday, with nearly 50 heritage enthusiasts from across Odisha taking part.

The walk began with a visit to the holy shrine of Lord Radha-Krishna, where the brass idols, brought from Nadia in the early 20th century, and a giant mrudanga are key attractions.

Manipur village derives its name from the word "mana," a traditional grain-measuring unit, signifying the region’s legendary agricultural abundance. The Radhakanta Jew Temple, established in 1937, was built by villagers under the leadership of Gopinath Sangram Singh and Sridhar Mangaraj. Unlike typical Kalingan architecture, the temple exhibits Bengal-style influences, as noted by Prof. Durga Biswal.

Village head Prakash Chandra Mallik, priest Rabinarayan Debata, and DHW convener Suresh Prasad Mishra shared insights into the temple’s history, spiritual significance, and architectural uniqueness.

Adding charm to the walk was a 1929 Baby Austin car brought by heritage enthusiast Saranath Mishra. The day concluded at Sadeibareni village, where participants enjoyed local delicacies like bara while celebrating Dhenkanal’s cultural and culinary richness.