(From top) Chateswar temple near Satyabhamapur in Cuttack district, sculptures and carvings at the temple and brass serpents on the premises. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Satyabhamapur, April 3: The neglect towards the state’s heritage is visible in the ancient monuments situated across Odisha, most of which need immediate attention.

The Chateswar temple situated in Satyabhamapur in Cuttack district, which is more than 800 years old, is a storehouse of historical antiques but is yet to receive the care of the authorities.

Built in 1211 by Puri ruler Ananga Bhima Deo III, the old monument is special for its construction using heavy shining black chlorite stone. It is situated near Satyabhamapur. The spacious complex consists of two major temples and a few mini shrines. Between the two bigger temples, one is dedicated to Lord Shiv while the other is the abode of Goddess Durga.

While the fine outer carvings of the huge Shiv temple are captivating, they also reflect the social situation as well as lifestyle of the time when it was built.

From royal activities such as court proceedings, marching soldiers, images depicting day-to-day life of families, for example, sculptures representing mother and child, couples in intimate postures to a set of mythological tales, one can get to see a wide range of artistic expressions etched on stone on the exteriors of the temple walls.

Inside the Shiv temple there is a dark chamber that is taken care of by the local priests. A massive collection of metal serpents and “lingams” are also stored here, apart from the detached sculptures and a huge monolithic tablet with inscriptions in an unknown script.

There are a number of unique figurines and idols worth seeing in the chamber of the Durga temple as well as in the courtyard of the complex. Sadly, local residents, who do not have professional expertise in maintaining the ancient monument, have painted the temple with limestone.

“Generations of my forefathers have been serving at the temple. Local families and donations by devotees from far and wide help us maintain the monument. But, no one from the government or archaeology has ever approached us. Hence, we carry out whatever we can manage,” said temple priest Prasanna Kumar Padhi.

Local residents also said that a number of objects and sculptures were found here during repairs but since they did not understand the significance, those items were lying unattended.

“It would be good if sessions by professional archaeologists were conducted for us and the temple priests to maintain the monument the way it should be. Moreover, there is definitely an interesting historical background of this temple. But, none of us is much aware of it,” said Keshab Chandra Das, a local high school teacher.