Dhenkanal Heritage Walks marks second anniversary celebrating Odisha’s rich past

Bhubaneswar, April 21: The second anniversary of Dhenkanal Heritage Walks (DHW) was marked with a vibrant celebration at the Old Zilla Parishad Auditorium in Kunjakanta, drawing historians, students, and heritage enthusiasts together in a shared appreciation of Odisha’s cultural legacy.

Professor Sanjay Acharya, a renowned expert on Kalingan temple architecture, captivated the audience with his engaging talk on the evolution of Odisha’s temples. He highlighted how successive dynasties contributed to the refinement of the Kalingan style, resulting in a mature and intricate temple tradition that even influenced architecture in Southeast Asia. Citing historians, Prof. Acharya noted, “The architects of Kalingan temples built like titans but finished like jewellers.”

Other speakers, including Maharani Aparna Dhir Narendra Singh Bharadwaj of Gadamadhupur Palace and Dipak Samantarai of Cuttack Heritage Walks, voiced concern over the neglect of historical sites in the name of development. Samantarai stressed the need for heritage education, while Sanjay Baral of Puri Heritage Walks urged greater awareness of Odisha’s architectural marvels, including the Sun Temple at Konark.

Organised by DHW convener Suresh Mishra, the event honoured several contributors and was attended by over 50 students, reaffirming the importance of heritage in shaping a stronger future.