BALANGIR: The signboard placed at the entrance of the hypethral temple of 64 Yoginees in the twin villages of Ranipal-Jharial reads: “This monument has been declared to be of national importance and protected under the Ancient Monument and Archeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 (24) of 1958.” You will find a similar message printed on the board, fixed outside the famed Indralath temple too.
Ironically, even as such warnings have been displayed at the entrances, there’s none to protect and maintain these ancient monuments, sources said. Experts and historians in the district are upset with the alleged apathy of the State Government and the district administration towards these ancient structures.
Experts said 64 Yoginee temples bear testimony to a glorious era from the past and combine a cross-section of religious faiths like Saivism, Buddhism, Vaisnivism and Tantrism. Out of 120 temples, only 52 have survived the test of time.
Most of these temples are in a dilapidated state and need immediate attention of the archeologists, experts claimed. Sources said 13 images of 64 Yoginees, made up of sandstone, are missing, while others have been damaged to a great extent.
The stone temples are situated in clusters in various parts of the rocky outcrop of Ranipal and Jharial and are of various sizes. The 20 metre-high Indralath temple is claimed to be the tallest brick temple of that time. It is now apparently frequented by cattle only. “Lack of maintenance has damaged the 1,200-year-old temple. It is evident from the growth of wild vegetation that covers its upper part,” sources said.
Noted researcher of Western Odisha folks, Santosh Kumar Rath, said the origin of Eastern Indian languages like Oriya, Bengali and Assamese can be traced to Ranipur-Jharial of 9th century AD. “The Buddhist monks who lived in the monastery here wrote in a language that had similarities with all the three languages. It is here that these languages are believed to have flourished,” he added.
The researcher said the site lies neglected as the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) does nothing. “ASI has deputed staff here. But they never come to the site. The place has neither a guest house nor any private houses to accommodate tourists,” he said.
Eminent historian D B Mishra said the recent discovery of some copper plates from the area had thrown new light on the monuments.
A few years back, historian and archaeologist Satyanarayan Nanda had filed a PIL in Orissa High Court seeking the constitution of a governing body consisting of local representatives, historians and archaeologists to conserve the monument.