Leaning palace looks for support

BARIPADA: The ‘Leaning Palace’ is crumbling under neglect. Lack of preservation and maintenance has proved to be its nemesis. The palace, a witness to history, is that of Bhanja dynasty at Haripur, capital of the erstwhile Mayurbhanj estate.Located about 25 km from Baripada town, this structure built on over 25-acre continues to draw tourists and researches from all over the world. However, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the State Government have done little to fix things here. Built in 1332 by the then Maharaja Harihar Bhanja, the palace also houses rare artefacts and instruments. Adding to the charm of the palace which stands on the bank of Budhabalanga river are dense forests dotted with tribal villages. Inside the campus there are temples of Lord Jagannath, Shiva and Goddess Kichakeswari __ also in dilapidated condition.Several secret chambers, rare instruments and weapons used by then emperors and kings were found inside the palace during a survey, few years back.Lamenting the carelessness of the authorities in conservation and preservation of the structure, Pankaj Mishra, a senior citizen of Haripur pointed out that the palace has developed cracks. Excavations can lead to discoveries if undertaken, he added.Academician and historian Deepak Kumar Sarangi echoed his concerns and said the historical monument would crumble to dust if not cared for. He had approached  the government and ASI for proper upkeep of the palace but in vain.Citing historical records, he said following the attack of Mughal king, Firoz Saha on Khiching temple in 1361, the then king of Mayurbhanj, Harihar Bhanja had built this palace at Haripur for its impregnable geographical location surrounded by dense forests.The revival of Baishnavite faith saw Maharaja Baidyanath Bhanja build a temple of Lord Krishna inside the palace campus. This temple is said to have been made of special kinds of bricks and stones which are no longer found in the country, Sarangi claimed.