Dhenkanal Heritage Walks explores Attali Jagannath Temple in 28th edition

Bhubaneswar, Aug 18: The Dhenkanal Heritage Walks (DHW) team organized its 28th heritage trail at the historic Attali Jagannath Temple in Athagarh, Cuttack district, on August 17, drawing heritage enthusiasts, researchers, and students alike.

The 90-feet-tall shrine, dedicated solely to Lord Jagannath, is renowned for its distinctive Kalingan Rekha Deula architecture. Before the temple’s construction, Lord Jagannath was worshipped in a thatched hut locally known as Attali, from which the temple derives its name. Built in 1899 under the reign of Athagarh ruler Vishwanath Bebarta Pattnaik, the temple is celebrated for its striking Ratna Singhasan and beautifully carved idol of the deity.

The event began with a warm reception for participants, who were greeted with flowers and traditional angabastra by Athagarh’s intellectual community and temple servitors. A series of thought-provoking discussions followed, with keynote addresses by poet and critic Himanshu Shekhar Parida, Jagannath culture researcher Manas Panda, and historian Suresh Pradhan.

Culture researcher Ajay Kumar Das traced the rise of the Athagarh princely state and explained the temple’s cultural and political significance. Senior author Bibhuti Bhushan Mishra and other heritage advocates praised DHW for promoting Odisha’s spiritual heritage.

The event was led by DHW convenor Suresh Prasad Mishra and witnessed active participation from convenors of Odisha Walks, Cuttack Heritage Walks, and Jagatsinghpur Heritage Walks.