The idol that is worshipped by villagers of Uttarpratap in Jajpur. Telegraph picture

Jajpur, Aug. 4: For generations, villagers of Uttarpratap in Jajpur district have been worshipping an ancient idol as their village deity.

They call the deity Maa Khetrapal. Little did they know that the idol they have been worshipping is of Murgaraj considered an incarnation of Lord Buddha.

Even after finding out that the idols they have been worshipping are Buddhist, some villagers refuse to part with them.

Similarly, in neighbouring Nahangapatana, the villagers have been worshipping an ancient idol from Buddhist era as their village deity: they call the deity Kamalei Thakurani.

For the past three-and-a-half decades, residents in Majhisahi have also been worshipping an ancient idol as their village deity.

Years ago, villagers discovered the idol while draining out the community pond. They have been worshipping the deity they call Budhadev.

The villagers didn’t know that the idol was of Bodhisattva, or follower of Buddha, from AD 7th century.

In fact, the villagers did not know anything about the deities till Buddhist researcher Nrusingha Charan Sahoo told them about their historical importance.

“We have been worshipping the idol for the past many generations. We did know nothing about the deity except that she is Maa Khetrapal, our village deity,”says Babaji Charan Sahu, a septuagenarian from Uttarpratap village.

“We came to know from the Buddhist researcher about the idol. But we will continue to worship it and will not give it to anybody at any cost,” added Charan Sahu.

Not only Maa Khetrapal, Kamalei and Budhadev, in many villages of Jajpur, the villagers worship idols of Lord Buddha, Bodhisattva and incarnations of Buddha as the main village deity.

Jajpur district boasts of several rare Buddhist relics.

The relics, which include statues of Lord Buddha, Bodhisattva and incarnations of Lord Buddha, artwork, manuscripts, fragmented sculptures, terracotta lamps, sprinklers and designer bricks, date back to the Buddhist era.

A two-ft long stone idol stone of Lord Buddha was unearthed in Kuarada village in Jajpur district in April. Workers who were digging a pond stumbled upon it. Later, the villagers installed the image and started worshipping it.

“These are some of the most fascinating and rare Buddhist relics found in many parts of Jajpur,” said researcher Nrusingha Charan Sahoo.

Sahoo alone has collected more than 3,200 rare relics from the Buddhist era from many parts of the Dharmasala area.

“It’s my passion to collect relics from the area and preserve them. I have with me over 3,200 rare relics from the Buddhist era right now,” Sahoo told The Telegraph.

“I will set up a museum displaying all my collected items. I will bear the cost. Scholars and researchers will be surely benefit from my attempt,” added Sahoo.

Sahoo also pointed out that if the proper excavation were carried out, especially in the Dharmasala area in the district, it would not only help to preserve the rich heritage but also promote tourism in this area.