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Ignorance dwarfs Asia’s largest Shiva Linga

Friday May 5 2006 11:35 IST
BALASORE: No travel or tourism website features it. No popular history book mentions Baba Bhusandeswar, claimed to be the largest Shiva Linga of Asia, which is being worshipped for years in a remote village in the district.Though nestled in dense forest, it has been drawing people from the State and outside for their belief in its miraculous prowess. On the banks of the river Subarnarekha in Kumbhirgadi village of Bhogarai block stands the unique Shiva Linga, named Bhusandeswar for its sheer size. Carved out of black granite, only half of the 12-foot linga is visible. The rest of it has remained buried for years.

Legend has it that Lord Shiva granted demon King Ravana the atmalinga after he invoked the deity for days. Afraid that he would misuse its divine power, other deities sent Lord Ganesh to snatch it away. And offering to hold it while Ravana quenched his thirst during his journey to Lanka with the linga, Ganesh placed it on the ground. As per Lord Shiva’s warning, it did not budge when Ravana tried to remove it. It only grew in size as he tried to uproot it. He stopped after Lord Shiva asked him to let it stay at the place. And that place happened to be Kumbhirgadi. But historians maintain that the linga was being carried on a ship and broke when it docked in the district. It could not be removed because of its size. For centuries it lay eight feet below the ground. Sukhal Jayram, a businessman of Jaleswar, attempted to pull it by crane in 1964, but the linga is still a little tilted.Despite its uniqueness, the linga was being worshipped in a thatched hut until the then MP of Balasore Kartikeswar Patra constructed a temple in 1984. But the dilapidated approach road has been an obstacle for tourists and devotees who flock during Shivaratri, Bisuva Sankranti and Chadak Jatra.Though the road work under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana connecting the temple is in progress, funds crunch comes in the way of performing temple rituals. Meanwhile, locals have pinned hopes on Balasore MP Kharabela Swain who has sought funds from the Centre for its development. Balasore district administration has also mooted a plan to develop it along with Talasari, Chandipur beaches and Panchalingeswar Shiva peetha.