Huma Temple: The leaning Pisa tower of India
Surrounded with river water from two sides, the Huma Temple becomes a perfect place for architectural research as the pinnacle is tilted with an angle of 47 degree to the west but the base of the temple remains parallel to the ground.
EXPERTS SAY it has every component to become the eighth wonders of the world but till date it has not even placed in the tourist map of the country. It is the lineal temple of Huma, a seventeen century temple constructed by the king of Sambalpur. The unusual character of the temple of being tilted to one side attracts people not only from near by area but also people from Chhatisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. They do come to have a glimpse of the Pisa like monument. However, many Indian don’t know about this monument that can be compared with the lineal tower of Pisa.
Huma is located on Sambalpur-Sonepur express highway, just 30km journey from Sambalpur town. There are number of buses running from Sambalpur to Sonepur. But from Huma chowk to temple, there are no transport facilities. One has to cover the distance of five kilometer by walking. Arranging a private vehicle from Sambalpur becomes easier for the tourists staying in Sambalpur as there is no lodging and boarding facility near the temple. “It gives me immense pleasure when I visit the temple. Every time the place becomes new for me,” a tourist Ritik Benerjee said.
Surrounded with river water from two sides, the temple becomes a perfect place for architectural research as the pinnacle is tilted with an angle of 47 degree to the west but the base of the temple remains parallel to the ground. Over the years the unusual phenomenon of the temple has left researchers, architects and scholars fully bewildered. They remain puzzled about the technique used in the temple as there is no mention of any technique for construction of leaning edifices in ‘Silpa Sastra’, the traditional manual of architecture. Not only the main temple but also the other small temples in the premises, boundary and main gate are seemed to have tilted.
When architects and experts are particularly dazed by the leaning temple, it is no mystery for local inhabitants. “We know Viswakarma, the lord of architecture, had constructed the temple in just one night. So he didn’t notice slanting of the temple as it was dark,” opined a local villager A P Panigrahi.
Surrounded with river water from two sides, the temple becomes a perfect place for architectural research as the pinnacle is tilted with an angle of 47 degree to the west but the base of the temple remains parallel to the ground. Over the years the unusual phenomenon of the temple has left researchers, architects and scholars fully bewildered. They remain puzzled about the technique used in the temple as there is no mention of any technique for construction of leaning edifices in ‘Silpa Sastra’, the traditional manual of architecture. Not only the main temple but also the other small temples in the premises, boundary and main gate are seemed to have tilted.
People believed that the Shiva linga was first discovered by a cowherd when he followed one of his cow used to visit the place regularly. It was perhaps during last part of 16th century. The cowherd was from an island located other side of the river. Surprisingly River Mahanadi flows in such a direction a big patches of land left inside for the use of people.
About nine villages are located on the island. The cowherd was from one of the villages. He noticed one black cow used to cross the river every day in a particular time. He finally followed her and found the cow standing over a black rock. The milk was flowing from her udders automatically. The cowherd did not believe what he saw in his own eyes. He narrated the story to his co-villagers on his return. The place became immediately crowded with devotes. People started worshipping Shiva lingam. Slowly the king of Sambalpur Balaram Dev heard about this miracle. He visited the place and constructed a small temple. But the present structure was built by the next king of Sambalpur Baliyar Singh the fifth king of Chauhan Dynasty. However, the leaning character of the temple still remains a mystery for everybody.
Besides the religious importance, Huma is also one of the best picnic spots having scenic beauty of nature. River Mahanadi leaves everyone thrilled. The temple is linked with yet another story. One would surprise to see hundreds of big fishes in the River ghat water. They are called as ‘Kuddo’. But hardly are they caught as people believe they belong to lord Shiva. It is thrilling experience to feed these fishes with one’s own hand. The specially made small ‘laddu’ has proved to be the bread and butter for few old people. The fishes that are hardly visible during rainy season, make their appearance once the water becomes clean. People believe that a tunnel might have been connected with the temple for the safety of these fishes.
Apart from this, it is one of the best places for boating. One will find number of country boats here. Since the fishermen don’t fish they earn money through boating in the river. Within last few years the temple premise is seen with hundreds of monkey. No one know how they entered but from their activities it seems they have decided to make the temple as their own place. Perhaps due to depletion of forest, they feel as displacement and have selected the temple as a rehabilitation center. Here food is not a problem for them. Devotees love to feed them. Huge crowd of devotees throng in to the temple during Shivaratri and the place becomes a center of every amusement. A big ‘mela’ marks the occasion which continues for about nine days. Huma becomes a marketplace for everyone during the festival. One can find needle to furniture in the market. Devotees pass their time during night with the cultural programme including ‘operah’ and video show.
Besides the religious importance, Huma is also one of the best picnic spots having scenic beauty of nature. River Mahanadi leaves everyone thrilled. The temple is linked with yet another story. One would surprise to see hundreds of big fishes in the River ghat water. They are called as ‘Kuddo’. But hardly are they caught as people believe they belong to lord Shiva. It is thrilling experience to feed these fishes with one’s own hand. The specially made small ‘laddu’ has proved to be the bread and butter for few old people. The fishes that are hardly visible during rainy season, make their appearance once the water becomes clean. People believe that a tunnel might have been connected with the temple for the safety of these fishes.
Apart from this, it is one of the best places for boating. One will find number of country boats here. Since the fishermen don’t fish they earn money through boating in the river. Within last few years the temple premise is seen with hundreds of monkey. No one know how they entered but from their activities it seems they have decided to make the temple as their own place. Perhaps due to depletion of forest, they feel as displacement and have selected the temple as a rehabilitation center. Here food is not a problem for them. Devotees love to feed them. Huge crowd of devotees throng in to the temple during Shivaratri and the place becomes a center of every amusement. A big ‘mela’ marks the occasion which continues for about nine days. Huma becomes a marketplace for everyone during the festival. One can find needle to furniture in the market. Devotees pass their time during night with the cultural programme including ‘operah’ and video show.
When architects and experts are particularly dazed by the leaning temple, it is no mystery for local inhabitants. “We know Viswakarma, the lord of architecture, had constructed the temple in just one night. So he didn’t notice slanting of the temple as it was dark,” opined a local villager A P Panigrahi.
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