Purunagarh

Puranagarh or Purunagoda or Purunagarh is the easternmost part of Jeypore which is a major town of Orissa, India. Translated into English, Purunagoda means Old Fort, which it was during the rule of the kings. The moat has now been made into a canal, which divides Purunagoda from the rest of the town. Being placed at the foot hills, in the warm embrace of Nakti Dongar, one can have a beautiful view of the entire town from Purunagoda, particularly in the evenings.

Purunagoda boasts of its ancient, beautiful and serene temples, and can be called the Temple-street of Jeypore.Some of the temples at Purunagoda are: Neelakantheswara, Ganesh, Radha Krushna, Jagannath, Ayyappa, Kali, Ganga Maa, Bhairabi and Dongar Devi.

One of the unique features of Purunagoda is the annual Rath Yatra, which is held one day in advance to the one held in the main town temple.

People

People belonging to different caste, creed and religion have been living in Purunagoda and most of them have been staying here for generations. Tribals (Parajas) form an integral part of this part of the town and were earlier known for their hunting skills, clean houses, robust physique, unique traditions and hard work. With exposure to the urban way of life, their dependence on the forests has been declining and has eroded their culture and heritage.

Parajas

Paraja is a tribe found in the southern part of Orissa and some other parts of the Dandakaranya region. Their appearance is different from the other tribes (without the aborigines features) and have a distinct appearance and lifestyle. Their skin colour can vary from fair (cream) to ebony black. Hair strands are normally straight. Eyes are sunken deeper but not as hollow as other tribes. The average height of the Parajas is around 1.6 m. Parajas have a very rigid societal structure and do not eat at even Brahmin households. With time, this has become a forgotten practice and many tribals now do not even know about such rituals.

The Temples of Purunagoda

Dongar Devi

(Dongar - Hill; Devi - Goddess): Dedicated to the local goddess (said to be an incarnation of Maa Durga), this temple attracts people far and wide for the belief that wishes come true here. This temple belongs to the tribals (of the Paraja Tribe) and the priest(the most famous being Jaani) himself is a tribal. But people of all beliefs come to seek answers and blessings of Maa Dongar Devi. Saddled on a small hillock belonging to the famous Nakti Dongar, the temple was once surrounded by the very famous and rarely found Hathijhula ( Hathi - Elephant; Jhula - swing) trees. The branches - like very thick strong ropes - of these trees were huge and long, intertwined so densely that their origins and endings could not be identified easily. Folklore says that these branches could even support huge loads equaling the weight of an elephant without snapping. Now only a few of these trees remain to be seen.

Dongar Devi temple, like many other temples dedicated to Goddesses, is witness to regular animal sacrifice, mostly fowls. This owes to the belief that when someone has a fervent wish, one must be prepared to give something precious too. Tribals come to this temple even to find a cure to their diseases, for better agricultural yields, rains, money, etc. Many affluent families of the undivided Koraput district also visit this temple to sort out their problems and seek the blessings of Mother Dongar Devi.

Neelakantheswara Temple

The Neelakantheswara Temple is the oldest temple in Purunagoda and Jeypore. The NKT road owes its name to this temple, which has become synonymous with Purunagoda. The temple also has a Jagannath temple and a very rare Radha Krishna temple within the premises. The Neelakantheswara Temple was discovered by a woodcutter who accidentally hit on the Shiva Linga. The mark could still be seen today.

Daksinakali

Contrary to popular belief that Dakshin refers to the direction South, Dakshin in Daksinakali refers to the 'right side', because of the idol of Goddess Kali has her right leg on Lord Shiva. This ancient temple stands for the royal connection of Purunagarh, being the ancestral Goddess (Istadevi) of the kings of Jeypore. Dense trees fill the temple premises with peace and tranquility, and an eerie silence could be felt in the temple even during the day time. Huge drums belonging to the past era and magnificent, larger-than-life paintings adorning the walls of the sanctum on all sides, make visiting this temple a daunting task for the weak hearted and people with the slightest of guilt. The temple is famous far and wide with people thronging to this place in huge numbers, particularly during the ritualistic Dussehra. Innumerable tales about the fiery nature of the Goddess, her bent head, animal sacrifice, punishments doled out to the sinners, of her relationship with the priests, the royal family and the people are abound regarding this temple.

Ganga Maa Temple

One of the few temples found dedicated to Goddess Ganga. It is here that the ritualistic Ghanta Paraba - a festival similar to Bonalu where a representation of each goddess of a particular locality is taken in a clay pot to other parts to be worshiped - begins at Purunagoda. The procession begins only after a flower drops from the Goddess' head. Though debilitated and deserted for most part of the year, this temple and the festival is the essence of Purunagoda's tradition.