Researchers observe 589th coronation day of Kapilendra Deva to celebrate his heroic exploits
Bhubaneswar: Researchers, history and culture lovers on Saturday reminisced the heroic exploits of great Odia emperor Kapilendra Deva of Suryavamsi dynasty by observing his 589th coronation day at Cuttack.
The event was commemorated at the Gopal Jiu temple of Panda Sahi, Jagatpur jointly by the Rediscover Lost Heritage (RLH Group), Aitihya Ra Ante Group, Silver City Cuttack Public Charitable Trust & Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Bhubaneswar Chapter.
Speaking on the occasion, Deepak Kumar Nayak, a noted heritage researcher and founder Member of RLH group said that Kapilendra Deva Rautaray, who is popularly known as Gajapati King and possessed the title of Birashree Gajapati Gaudeswara Navakoti Karnata Kalabargeswara, was undoubtedly the greatest Odia emperor after Mahameghabahana Aira Kharavela.
“The Odisha king had shaken the eastern and southern lands of India with his powerful army of elephants, horses and men. Fighting numerous wars in all directions, Kapilendra Deva’s empire eventually included all of today’s Odisha as well as parts of other states like Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. But history has not given due respect and accolades this greatest Odia Samrat deserves,” observed Nayak.
Nayak’s Rediscover Lost Heritage organization selects historic places having connection with Gajapati Kapilendra Deva to celebrate this historic day. A royal image, believed to be that of Gajapati Kapilendra Deva, is found in Gopal Jiu temple. The image has striking similarities with the other images of Kapilendra Deva earlier identified within the state.
Sanjib Chandra Hota, a retired Indian Administrative Service officer and a senior member of INTACH who graced the occasion as chief guest in this function, said Odishan history textbooks needed a revamp in showcasing Odia pride and contributions of medieval era Gajapati Kings. “History curriculum should give more focus on highlighting the success and contributions of Gajapati kings like Narasingha Deva, Kapilendra Deva, Mukunda Deva and Ramachandra Deva I. Gajapati Kapilendra was no less a warrior than Shivaji or Krishna Deva Raya and his reign saw the pinnacle of the military might of the Kalingans. Proper studies of the iconography and inscriptions related to Kapilendra Deva found in various temples in South India should be undertaken,” said Hota.
Soumya Ranjan Panda, one of the founder members ‘Aitihya Ra Ante Group’ and Akash Pattanayak, the president of Silver City Cuttack Public Charitable Trust demanded for the erection of huge statues of Gajapati Kapilendra Deva both at Cuttack and Bhubaneswar as the sign of Odia pride and glory.
