Historic House Of Old Jagannath Sadak Cries For Help!

Bhubaneswar: One of the last remaining vestiges of the Old Jagannath Sadak on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar is crumbling for want of proper conservation. During its heydays the Anu Patro Kothi, as it has been popularly called since 140 years, was one of the most majestic buildings on the Old Road between Bhingarpur and Sakhigopal the Anu Patro Kothi. It is in now in urgent need of repairs.

Located in Gadasrirampur village under the Balianta P.S, this small but grand two-storied house was constructed by Anadi Patro between the years 1880-82.  Situated two kilometres away from the Sai Temple on the Puri Bypass road, Anu Patro Kothi has an interesting history behind it.  Anadi Patro was a farmer who had migrated to Kolkata after the Na Anka Durbhikshya of 1866. He had set up a small business and prospered. Patro often visited his village and travelled on the Old Jagannath Sadak. This made him aware of the travails and difficulties faced by pilgrims. Being a devout and religious man, he decided to make the house a resting place for the Jagannath pilgrims.

The two-storied house built in neo-colonial style was constructed by the side of the old road. Its original work was in lime plaster and wooden beams. The workmen, carpenters and masons were brought in from Kolkata. The house boasts of carved doors and windows, an arched entranceway and a huge stone paved courtyard. Anu Patro also dug a big stone-lined pond and two wells for the benefit of pilgrims. A temple was constructed too. For many years it was the favourite halt for pilgrims, who could camp here at night.

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), during its survey of the monuments of the Old Jagannath Sadak, had listed this as a heritage structure. In fact, it was included in the report submitted to the government for notifying it as a protected monument. Many visitors have come to see the house after it was listed by INTACH.

Anil Dhir, who headed the INTACH team in the survey, considers the old house as one of the last surviving examples of the architecture of the period. No other structure has endured the vagaries of time like this building, he said. The palaces and old houses in Bhingarpur are in ruins and beyond restoration. Another old house at Dandamukundpur was completely destroyed last year. A replica of this building can be found in Sakhigopal, which now houses the temple administrator’s office. This derelict house continues to be beautiful though unkempt and, sadly, disintegrating in places.

Dhir laments that many of the structures that had been listed by him have been destroyed. Just last year, despite all protests, the historic 180-year-old Maratha era bridge at Jaleswar was demolished. The old house is in urgent needs of repair. The walls and roof are leaking, and the wooden beams are now in a precarious state. The owners had made some repairs a few years ago, but looking at the heritage value of the building, it needs proper conservation and repair to restore it to its old glory.

The present owners are aware of the religious significance of the building and want to convert it into a museum. The rooms are filled with antique furniture. Once it is restored, the family will maintain it and throw it open for the public.

A team from INTACH comprising State Convener A.B.Tripathy, Sanjib Hota, Kulamoni Deo and Anil Dhir visited the village and inspected the building.

According to A.B.Tripathy, the house is a neglected piece of history which is in urgent need of proper conservation. He said that INTACH will take it up with the authorities to see that funds are made available for the proper restoration and conservation of the building. In fact the MP and MLA should make allocations from their LAD funds for the upkeep of the house.  INTACH will extend all expertise for the proper repair and restoration of this structure, he opined.

Sanjib Hota suggests that the government take steps to notify the monuments of the Old Jagannath Sadak. The report submitted by INTACH two years ago should be published and released. The vestiges of the Old Jagannath Sadak are very important for the culture and history of the State, and are a part and parcel of the Jagannath Cult. Ignoring the proper maintenance is sacrilegious and will be a big loss to our cultural religious traditions.