Ranipur Jharial Someswar Temple, Odisha

Address

Ranipur Jharial Someswar Temple, Odisha

Bakagura, Ranipur Jharial,

Balangir District,

Odisha 767040

Moolavar

Someswar (Lord Shiva)

Introduction

Someswar temple is situated beside Someswar sagar. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Someswar, located in the Ranipur Jharial, Balangir district, Odisha state.

Puranic Significance

It was constructed by a famous Saiva Acharya named Gagana Siva. The period of construction of Someswara Siva temple at Ranipur Jharial was the middle of the 9th century A.D. It has been mentioned as Soma Tirtha in scriptures, the place combined a cross section of religious faiths like Saivism, Buddhism, Vaisnivism and Tantrism. In the past, queens used to live at Ranipur and Jharial was a fort.

The place is known as Somatirtha, which finds mention in the puranas. It is said one Saiva Acharya, Gagan Shiva had built the temple, whose name has been mentioned in an inscription found on the lintel of the temple. The inscription also mentions the place as Somatirtha.

Thus it is evident that since 3rd/4th century Ranipur-Jharial has assumed the reputation of a Saiva Tirtha. Moreover, Saivism was popular in ancient Kosala and Kantara region since the days of the Nalas who ruled over this region from the middle of the fourth century A.D. This is corroborated by the recent excavation at Maraguda in Nawapara district where a Saiva Vihar of circa 4th/5th century A.D. has been excavated.
The kernel of Tantricism that originated at Maraguda had fuller efflorescence at Ranipur-Jharial. The Tantric Vajrayana and Sahajayana which Indrabhuti and Laxmikara of ancient Sambala (modern Sambalpur) propounded were very much popular in this region. However, Ranipur-Jharial witnessed great religious development during the time of the Somavansis who ruled over this tract in 8th/ 9th century A.D. Most of the existing monuments can be assigned to this period. When exactly, this place was deserted is difficult to say due to want of evidence.
The Muslim invasion in the 15th century might be a factor for its downfall. We believe systematic exploration and excavations in this locality will throw new light on the history and culture of this place. From surface observation, it appears that the site might have still greater remote antiquity.