Sonepur

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Tehsil Sonepur, District Subarnpur (Subarnpur), Odisha, Bharat

Older name Suvarnapura (Sonpur), the former capital of the Somavamsi dynasty in the 9th-10th century. The headquarter of District Sonepur is a temple city located at the confluence of Mahanadi and Tel Nadi.
Sonepur is famous for jems stone and diamond which are plently avaliable in the river basin of Mahanadi. It is also famous for handicraft like Teracota and handloom especially Pata Saree.
www.nuaodisha.com/Odisha-Tourism/Tourist-Places-In-Sone...

Sonepur (pronounced SOnpUr) is the district headquarter of Subarnapur district. This potential tourist's destination of Orissa is famous for it's large number of temples and beautiful scenery. Once upon a time it was known as the second Varanasi of India, possibly because of large number of Lord Shiva temples or due to a place of learned people. Before the legendary gold-coin rain, possibly due to which the place is named Subarnapur(Golden City), it used to be known as KAmAntakapuri, again the reason behind it is not clear. Could be due to Shiva's name, due to tantric achievements or just due to prosperity. It has a very important connection to history of Orissa, where idols of Lord Jagannatha of Puri, was hidden under earth for 144 years, thus being referred as Patali Shrikhetra. Sonepur's potential contribution to Buddhism, Jainism, Tantrism, Vaishnavism, Sanskrit literature, origin of Oriya language, new religious movements have not yet fully explored.

It has a pre-historic connection being at the confluence point of Mahanadi and Tel-nadi rivers. The large number of stone tools and weapons, Rock-art of puja dunguri, silver punch marked coins (claimed to be oldest), Asurgarh and Khambeswari pali settlements of early civilisation suggest that the township had started in Sonepur as early as 1000 B.C.

Media often represent Sonepur for Art and culture and the place is yet to accelerate in Academics, Industry and new/modern economic developments. Although Sonepur produces well educated man power, and many people of Sonepur-origin are very successful outside, it has not proportionately reflected in modern growth of Sonepur.

Please visit www.sonepur.com and subarnapur.nic.in for further informations. Sonepur experts please work on it. Thanks! -Ananda Hota 22 Jul. 2006
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonepur
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   20°50'49"N   83°53'49"E

Comments

  • Also it is famous for fine art works over handloom sarees,jasmine flower,moong dal,sweet water fish and boating.Presence of ASTASAMBHU & ASTACHANDI believed to protect the main land and human civilisastion.
  • The Temple City of Sonepur is famous for so many ancient temples. The nearby river Mahanadi and Talanadi is very much attracted people to come to this town. This town is famous of handloom sarees and other works.
  • sonepur the golden city
  • sonepur is a golden holly place
  • hai.im nanda frm silati my sonepur is a sweet city.
  • my town sonepur sorrounded by river Mahanadi, Tel and ong it is famous in different time for different historical events and in the field of education and developed turist place but some time after independence lack political representation as such railway could not avail my town still after became seperate district is under developing I am proud for my land.
  • it is nice town which developed after it was declared as district but it is a shame that this place has not got the recognization as a tourist place even if by odisha govt .Hope our minister mr niranjan babu will do something for improvement of his town .I love my town very much
  • mera sonepur ek golden town
  • sonepur is a good entrtmant place
  • The Sonepur city known as subarnapur famous for its five M & Sonepur is situated in the confluence of river Mahanadi and Tel. The headquarters town is of the same name and was a city of fame from the time of Somavamsi rulers. The District of Sonepur is known for its rich cultural heritage, arts and crafts. The textiles and terracotta work of Sonepur, Brass metal works and Philigri crafts of Tarva and Binka, Stone carving of Ullunda and Paddy crafts of Dunguripali have earned worldwide reputation. From the time of Chauhan rulers till date, District of Sonepur has produced literature of world fame and name. The poet and prophet of Mahima Dharma, Santh Bhima Bhoi was a literary genius of the soil. His preachings had won the hearts of thousands of people and the noble thoughts and ideas of Santh Bhima Bhoi were appreciated by the people of different sections in spite of their different religion adherence. He was a true humanistic poet of the soil. The town is known as temple town and is called Second Banaras. All religious faiths flourished side by side in the district and it is famous for Asta Sambhu, Asta Chandi and Asta Vishnu temples. Religious tolerance was the essence and people of all religions, castes are living from time immemorial till date with brotherly affection.
  • From very ancient times, Sonepur is considered as a holy city. The Kosalananda Kavya of Kavi Gangadhara Mishra, written in 1664 A.D., describes the temple city of Sonepur as the second Varanasi of India. Sonepur came under the Chauhans during the days of Ramaideva, the founder of the Chauhan rule in western Orissa in the middle of 14th century A.D. But Sonepur got the status of a separate state in the first half of 17th century, with Madana Gopala Deva as its king. The work of the court poet, Kavi Gangadhara Mishra shows that there were many temples at Sonepur prior to the Chauhan rule. The Somavamsi charter also corroborates this fact. The copper plate inscription issued in the 17th regnal year of the Somavamsi king Janmejay I (850 A.D.- 885 A.D.) states that the temples of ‘Sri Kesava’ and ‘Aditya Deva’ were very famous This inscription has been unearthened near the Stamvesvari or Khamvesvari, situated in the heart at the present Sonepur town. The Maranjamura Copper plate of Yayati II, the Somavamsi ruler, issued in his 3rd regnal year from his capital Suvarnapura, also makes a reference to the temples. The description Sonepur,inscription wonderful.inscription, there several temples and gardens, which enhance the beauty of the town.After that there are no references about the temples of Sonepur till the coming in of the Chauhans in mid-14th Century.A.D. The temple building tradition might have continued in Sonepur, but no inscriptional or architectural evidences are available with us. Further research may throw more light on this.Almost all of the temples now standing at Sonepur were built during the Chauhan rule. On the basis of their cult images, the temples of Sonepur can be divided into three themetic divisions i.e., the Saiva, Vaisnava and Sakta temples. Besides, there are a few other temples like those of Hanumana and Sasisena which are of special importance. Among the present Saiva temples of Sonepur, the temple of Suvarnameru is very famous. It is situated on the left bank of river Tel towards the south-west of the confluence of river Mahanadi and Tel. It stands slightly on the outskirts of the town proper.Scholars differ on the date of the temple. According to B.C.Mazumdar, though the existing temple was built during the reign of Maharaja Madan Gopal Singhdeo(1630-1660AD) Suvarnameru Mahadeva has been the presiding deity of the State since a very remote time. But other scholars one of the opinion that it was built during the reign of Maharaja Lal Saheb (1660-1680A.D.), son of Maharaj Madangopal. The temple of Gopinatha is situated near the Jagannatha temple. It’s construction work was started during the time of Raja Prataprudra Deva and completed during the reign of Maharaja Vira Mitrodaya Singh.Situated in the Ghodaghatpada, Sonepur, the temple of Dadhivamana Deva was built during the reign of Maharaja Prithvisingh Dev (1786-1841). The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Jagannatha , Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. By the orders of Maharaja Vira Mitrodaya Singh, the then tehasildar, Mr.Keshab Chandra Guru, raising a huge amount of donation from the people, constructed the temple of Sri Vrindavan Vihari at Bada Bazar.The 34.7mt. high Gundicha temple is the tallest temple of Sonepur. Rani Gundicha Devi, wife of Maharaja Prithvisingh Dev, constructed the temple to commemorate the birth of her son Niladhara Singh and dedicated.Initially, thereidol of Lord Nrusimha in accordance with the Gundicha temple at Puri. With the passage of time the wooden idol was damaged. It was replaced by a metallic iconic or anthropomorphic form of the deity i.e., Lord Nrusimha by Maharaja Sri Prataprudra Singh Dev. The mandapa of the temple was built in 1934 by Maharaja Sri Vira Mitrodaya Singh. Sakta Temples Ancient Sonepur was a fomous seat of tantricism. Even now Sakti worship is more prominent at Sonepur than any other cult. Some of the most important Sakta temples are Sureswari, Stamvesvari or Khamvesvari, Bhagavati, Samalesvari, Budhi Samalei, Manikesvari, Narayani, Sitalei and Lankesvari. The temple of Suresvari is situated on the left bank of the river Tel towards the north of Suvarnameru temple and south-east of Ramesvara temple. It is difficult to determine the timeframe of the installation of the deity. However it seems that, Sureswari was the presiding deity of the Suvarnapur fort during the Somavansis in about 9th century A.D. The present Satabandha, Gudialibandha and Jilabandha or tanks and the adjacent mud ridges were probably the water trenches and walls of the fort. According to the Bratacharita, Suresvari Devi was being worshipped as the guardian deity of the fort at the entrance gate of the Satabandha. According to legends the legendary hero Parasuram built the temple on the request of his mother to make him free from the sin of killing the Kshyatriyas of the World, after performing a Yagnya. A noteworthy fact about this is the presence of an ancient and big altar, which is believed as the altar of Parasuram by the local people. Some people believe that, this is the seat of Renuka mother of Parusuram herself. The present temple of Suresvari devi was constructed by the Chauhan king Achal Singh Deo, with an eight armed Mahisamardini Durga image as its presiding deity. Goddess Suresvari is offered fish everyday. It is a must for her. The same practice is prevalent in the Varahi temple at Chaurasi.
  • i love sonepur
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