Bhubaneswar: Member of Parliament Aparajita Sarangi has sought Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protection for Kapileswar Temple in Odisha capital.
Aparajita, who represents the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency, met Union Minister For Culture, Tourism And Development Of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Gangapuram Kishan Reddy and other officials concerned on Monday and explained the need to protect the Shiva shrine in Old Town area of the city. “Sevayats and residents had been requesting for its inclusion in the ASI list,” she tweeted on Tuesday.
She added that the Union Minister has assured her of all support.
This living temple is being maintained by Kapileshwar Temple Trust Board. The temple is situated within the precinct along with 33 other monuments on the northern embankment of Manikarnika tank.
According to legends, this is the birthplace of sage Kapila, who is considered as the father of Sankhya Philosophy. He is also considered as the brain child of Brahma, an incarnation of Vishnu and lord Shiva himself. Hence, the presiding deity came to be called as Kapileswar.
Notably, there are 80 centrally protected monuments and structures under ASI in Odisha and 21 among them, including Lingaraj Temple and Mukteshwara Temple, are in Bhubaneswar.
