The interesting tales of Ananta Vasudeva Temple in Bhubaneswar

The majestic Ananta Vasudeva Temple standing tall on the banks of Bindusagar in old Bhubaneswar. Pic @ Krushna's

As a child I had always flooded my father with numerous questions about various aspects of temples whenever we used to visit one. The answers in the form of narrations and stories always fascinated me and further increased my quest for knowing more about them. The same childlike curiosity within me continues as I always get super excited whenever I get an opportunity to listen to the ever fascinating temple tales.

As it happened, on a Sunday morning, while participating in the weekly heritage walk 'Ekamra Walks', I walked into the abode of Lord Ananta Vasudev, the only ancient Vishnu temple in the Ekamra Kshetra or the Old town area of Bhubaneswar. Standing tall on the banks of pristine Bindusagar lake, I had been to this Maha Vishnu temple nearly hundred times over the years, once in a while to pay obeisance to the deities and mostly to relish on the temple food which is revered as Mahaprasad within Bhubaneswar. But, this Sunday morning visit turned extra special as I met the octogenarian priest of the temple who was equally eager to share the stories associated with the temple.

The Ananta Vasudeva Temple in Bhubaneswar. Pic @ Bibhuti Barik

The interesting tales began from the unique orientation of the 13th Century built temple, which is west faced, unlike most of the Hindu Temples and Vishnu Temples facing the direction of east, the direction of the rising sun. One of the popular beliefs is that Lord Ananta Vasudev was the presiding deity of the kshetra which was referred as Chakra Kshetra owing to the Sudarshan Chakra of Lord Vishnu, similar to the reference attributed to the holy city of Puri as Sankha Kshetra (Conch Shape). Another story suggests the reason for west orientation being the eastward direction of  Lord Lingaraj temple and the activity hub of Bindusagar also falling on the west direction. 

A sculpture on the wall of Ananta Vasudeva Temple. Pic @ Bibhuti Barik

Coming to the deities, many have the confusion often that Ananta Vasudev is another name of Lord Vishnu. The Ananta Vasudev temple has in fact the trinity of Lord Ananta (incarnation of Seshanaga or Balram) with the hood of Ananta Naga (Serpent) over his head , Goddess Subhadra and Vasudeva (Lord Vishnu) worshiped on the Sanctum Sanctorum. 

The three idols of the deities are complete structures in standing postures, made of black granite stone, with interesting stories linked to them. While the idol of Lord Ananta stands under a seven hooded serpent, Goddess Shubhadra carries a kalash and lotus flower in her hands. The idol of Lord Vasudeva or Vishnu at this temple has a unique difference from all other complete structure Vishnu idols elsewhere. Here, the idol of Lord Vishnu holds the Gada (mace) on top right hand and chakra on bottom left hand whereas normal Vishnu idols hold Chakra on top right hand. As per the accounts of the priests and scholars, this particular exception might have its origin from mythological story  of Mahabharata when Lord Krishna (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) declared not to hold or use any weapon during the war of Mahabharata. For this reason the Sudarsan Chakra is held on the bottom left hand facing downward. 

Pic @ Bibhuti Barik

The Ananta Vasudeva Temple, it was built in 13th Century AD by  Queen Chandrika, of Chodaganga dynasty, also referred as Eastern Ganga dyansty. It is considered that the idol of Lord Vishnu used to be worshiped at this place even before the temple was built. The temple was renovated by the Marathas in 17th century, when the they ruled Kalinga, the present day Odisha.

All these fascinating stories made my day on the summer Sunday morning as I was coming out of the majestic Ananta Vasudeva temple looking towards the smoke emanating out of the thatched roof of the temple kitchen with the temple on the backdrop. Proceeding towards the revered temple kitchen looking for more such stories to relish on, I had a good glance of the temple kitchen and the morning hustles and bustles for preparation of the food for the day. 

Pic @ Krushna's

Pic @ Ekamra Walks

The temple kitchen of Ananta Vasudev Temple prepares delicious temple food for thousands of devotees everyday. The fully vegetarian food cooked in virgin earthen pots on indigenous earthen stoves with firewood, is without onion and garlic and even sans vegetables like potatoes and tomatoes which are considered not Indian in origin. Over 200 odd people work in this temple kitchen which is thankfully open for public to see and experience the unique cooking process. The bhoga bazaar adjoining the temple serves the temple food to devotees after it is offered to the deities, similar to the Ananda Bazar in Jagannath Temple in Puri. 

Pic @ Ekamra Walks

Coming out of the temple premises, I had to fasten my foot steps on the laterite stone walk-path on the embankment of Bindusagar to catch up with the walkers of Ekamra Walks on that day. However, the stories of Ananta Vasudeva remained a memorable treasure for me as I was moving to my next destination in the old town, the heritage abundant part of Bhubaneswar. 

Pic @ Ekamra Walks