Sonepur, March 15: One of the most impressive monuments of Sonepur is the temple of Sashisena, which was built in the memory of the undying love of Ahimanikya, the son of a dewan and Sashisena, a princess.

The temple, which was rebuilt by Maharaja Biramitradaya Singhdeo of Sonepur between 1902 and 1937, after the original eighth century temple got destroyed, now lies in neglect.

Adding to the woes is the fact that the land around the temple has been encroached upon.

Though it is a small temple on a rectangular platform, the love story connected to it makes the structure special.

Historian Sudam Naik, who has studied extensively on the temples in Sonepur said that the present temple was about 100 years old and constructed after the fall of the original temple.

“The temple was built as a memory of the eighth century eternal love story of Ahimanikya, son of a dewan and Sashisena, the princess. It was after the original temple fell that the king of Sonepur Biramitradaya Singhdeo rebuilt the temple. It is a small temple, only about seven feet high,” he said.

Talking about the interesting love story linked to the temple, Naik said, “Sashisena was in love with Ahimanikya and they got married secretly. The handsome Ahimanikya’s beauty charmed Jynanadei Maluni, one of the seven famous tantrik maidens of Sonepur. Once, when he went out alone to the market, she induced him to come to her place. There, she turned him into a lamb with her esoteric art. She used to transform him into a human again in the night for sexual gratification, but during the day, the man remained a lamb.”

“After several twists and turns in the story, the two lovers unite again. The memorial temple, popularly known as Sashisena temple which has no opening at all, now stands and speaks of the tantrik practices that once flourished in Sonepur,” Naik said.

“All the walls of the temple are decorated with carvings depicting motifs of the story. The lamb, tiger, cobra, youths, soldiers, the women with the esoteric power all are found carved on the walls of the temple. In a way, the temple itself is a storyteller,” he added.

Locals residents complained that since the temple is not maintained at all and no initiative is taken for the beautification of the temple premises, there are hardly any tourists who come to see the temple.

“Since the temple lies neglected, no tourists come here. A few researchers come to study the monument now and then but that is it,” said Benudhar Pradhan, a local resident.

“There is a need to preserve the monument and develop its premise to attract tourists,” he said.

Over the years, the carvings of the tantrik images have developed a layer of algae over them. Also, cobwebs, dust and other threats of nature are destroying the beauty of the monument.

District culture officer of Sonepur Gadadhar Barik said the district had received some funds from state tourism department, Western Orissa Development Council and Sonepur DRDA for renovating the temples of Sonepur.

“We have got funds and some works have been done. Sashisena temple has been coloured and some time ago, the temple was fenced for protection,” Barik said.