res on orissa proper. 



are stationed at different points, over the whole khetr, to guard it from the 

 intrusion of'Asurs, Rakshases, and other malignant demons. The titles of 

 the female energies above noticed are KothVasini, Siddheswari, JMibakhi, 

 Uttareswari, Bhagavati, Kotav*, and Bhimaki ; those of the males Trilocha- 

 na, Someswara, Trilokeswara, Franaveswara, Isaneswara, Akandeswara, 

 Agniswara, and Siddhiswara, which the learned reader may compare with 

 the epithets of the same divinities who protect and sanctify the Bishen Khetr. 



Besides the aforementioned claims to veneration, Jajipur is farther es- 

 teemed, from its being supposed to rest on the navel of the tremendous 

 giant or demon, called the Gaya Asur, who was overthrown by Vishnu. 

 Such was his bulk, that, when stretched on the ground, his head rested at 

 Gaya, his navel (nabhi) at this place, and his feet at a spot near Rajamendri. 

 There is a very sacred well or pit within the enclosure of one of the Jaji- 

 pur temples, called the Gaya INabhi or Bamphi, which is fabled to reach 

 to the navel of the monster, and into it the Hindu pilgrims throw the Pinda, 

 or cake of rice and sweetmeats, which is offered, at particular conjunctions, 

 as an expiation for the sins of their ancestors. The priests and inhabitants 

 of Jajipur insist, that in 1821, a sudden rise of water took place in the well, 

 which forced up the accumulated mass of sour rice cakes that had been 

 there fermenting for months or years, and deluged the whole area of the 

 temple with the filth. The occurrence was regarded both as a miracle, and 

 as the forerunner of some great calamity, 



The numerous stone temples on both sides of the Bytarini, executed 

 mostly in a very respectable style of architecture, bespeak the ancient im- 

 portance of the place ; and history informs us that it was formerly one of 

 the capitals of the Orissan monarchy. The Rajas of the Kesari dynasty 

 held here their Court occasionally, as well as those of the Ganga Vansa 

 line, and the remains of their IS our, or palace, at present an undefinable heap 

 of ruin, are still shewn. The Musselman writers seem sometimes to men- 

 tion Jajipur as a separate principality, in the time of the Ganga Bans Ra- 



