Kapilash Temple
At an altitude of 2,150 ft, Kapilash is called the Kailash of Orissa. The getaway is located atop an undulating lush green hillock close to the headquarters of Dhenkanal district, also called Dhenkanal. The peak of Kapilas, otherwise known as Kailash of Odisha enchrines the Temple of Lord Chandra Sekhar at a height of 457 mts. which is a legendary abode of Lord Siva. One can climb 1352 steps or can drive up through the “Twelve twisting way” to have a Darshan. Maha Sivaratri is the greatest festival at Kapilas. Thousands of pilgrims gather here from various parts of the state. Some come from as far off as Cuttack. Devotees carry the water of the Mahanadi in earthen vessels on their shoulders. They trek barefoot to the hilltop before pouring the water on the Shivling. The fair held to celebrate the occasion continues for three days. The region was once part of the ancient capital of Keshari kingdom and known as Choudwar.
The height of the temple of Lord Chandrasekhar Jew is 70 ft. The outer surface of the temple has no sculptural specialty, but the idols surrounding the temple complex are the ultimate in the art of Idol making. According to the ‘SILPASASTRA’ of Manasa, sculpture is of three kinds; the ‘Nagar’ type of sculpture , the ‘Beshara’ type of sculpture and the ‘Dravid’ type of sculpture, practiced in northern, central and southern India respectively. The idols at Kapilash are culminations of the typical Kalinga Nagar type of sculpture. In the main temple, the self manifested ‘Linga” is worshipped with its large ‘Shakti’. The ‘Linga’ is surrounded by a silver cobra. To the west of the ‘ Linga’ a large “Salagrama” is placed on its separate platform. The ‘ Salagrama’ rests within the coils of the large “Sesanaga” made of an alloy of 8 metals. The large ‘ Salagrama’ is a rarity. Adjacent to the ‘Salagrama’ there is the ‘ Banlinga’ made of beautiful green stones. Just infront of the ‘Santum-Sanctorum’ on a high pedestal sites ‘Brusava’ ever alert to carry the lord on his heavenly journeys’. Just near the ‘Jagamohan’ there are idols of Lord “Ganesh” and Shree Shree ‘Chandi’ made of black granite. Just behind the Brusava and above the Bhog Mandap, there is the wooden mohana an example of Oriya wooden sculpture. The “Payomrutakunda” exists towards the north of the Brusava. There is also natural source of holy water which is used only for the worship of lord Chandrasekhar. The Lord’s kitchen is situated at the south-east corner or ‘Agnikona’ of the temple. The ‘Papanasini kunda’ is situated towards the west of the kitchen and as the popular beliefs so it washes all the sins of the devotees. Close to the southern wall of ‘ Papanasini kunda’ there is the ‘Mirchi kunda’. The ‘Japamandap’ is situated along with its beautiful wooden Mohana towards the south of the temple. The Mohana is decorated with the idols of ‘Dasabatara’. Devi Parbati’s temple is situated towards the north of main temple.
The gateway to Kapilash is Dhenkanal town, 26 km away. Pick up your provisions here before heading up. You will be able to find basic ration even at Kapilash. It is at a distance of 512 Kms from Calcutta, 123 Kms from Bhubaneswar, 75 Kms from Cuttack and 24 Kms from the District Head Quarters of Dhenkanal towards the north east. Its nearest Railway station is at Dhenkanal & Kapilash Road. The Sea-port is 163 Kms away at Paradeep and the nearest Air-port is 123 Kms away at Bhubaneswar.
Surrounded on all sides by the Eastern Ghats, Kapilash is quite picturesque. There is an abundance of sal, segun, kendu, jarul and mohua apart from many other plants. The fauna consists mainly of monkeys, jungle cats, peacocks and squirrels. The dense forests and the presence of wild animals draws many nature-lovers to this area.
The people of the region believe that Kapilash is the abode of Lord Chandrasekhar or Shiva. There is a popular temple atop the hill. This is surrounded by a cluster of other shrines and a medieval fort. 1352 steps lead to the main temple. There is also a serpentine motorable road.
