Huma Temple- Odisha’s Leaning Enigma
IHey everyone, remember that tilted temple in Varanasi I told you about last time? Well we have another temple who boasts its own gravity-defying marvel in the form of the Huma Temple in Odisha. Nestled on the banks of the mighty Mahanadi River, this enigmatic temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is not just a spiritual sanctuary, but an architectural mystery whispered by ancient winds.
Imagine a temple where the main structure seems to be tilting like a ship caught in storm along with its walls and gates joining in a reverent tilt. It’s as if the entire complex is defying the very laws of physics.
This captivating incline has left scientists and historians pondering, unsure whether it was the intention of the builders or a geological quirk. Some say the temples were built like that on purpose, while others think it’s just the ground playing tricks. But the mind-blowing thing is, even newer temples built straight are starting to lean! And here’s the kicker: the degree of tilt never seems to change, throwing a wrench in the whole “sinking foundation” theory.
THE STORY
But who needs science when you have a good old-fashioned legend, right? So, the story goes, there was this milkman who used to cross the Mahandai river every day. On a fine day he saw a rock cropped out of nowhere. He started offering milk to a mysterious rock sticking out of the water. This miracle milk-drinking rock obviously caused a stir in the nearby villages/ towns. The worshippers flocked here and the miraculous Huma Temple was born. Legend has it that the temple was rebuilt or re-modeled by King Baliar Singh in the 16th century, the fifth chauhan of Sambalpur.
For devotees, this story is pure magic, and during festivals like Mahashivratri -we see the Huma Temple overflowing with worshippers. And guess what else is famous here? A special kind of fish called the Kudo. Legend says, that if you catch the Kudo fish you are sure to turn into a stone. Maybe that’s why there’s a statue of a woman cutting up a fish near the temple — a fishy reminder of the curse, perhaps? But don’t worry, nowadays, people just happily feed these fishes and even offer them prasad on special days.
The good news is, the Odisha government is finally giving this leaning beauty the attention it deserves, promoting it during annual fairs. Because let’s face it, ancient architectural marvels like this deserve to be in the spotlight.
So, if you’re ever in Odisha and looking for a temple with a twist (literally!), the Huma Temple is definitely worth checking out. Just remember, don’t go fishin’ for Kudos — unless you fancy a stony transformation, of course!
And hey, if you want to dive deeper into this leaning wonder, check out the Odisha magazine document here: https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2013/Feb-Mar/engpdf/90-92.pdf
