Echoes of the Past: The Story of the 275-Year-Old Gundicha Kua

Nestled in the heart of Odisha, near the shores of Chilika Lake, lies a place steeped in history and devotion – the site of the Harishwar Mandap. This location holds a unique significance, as it served as a temporary abode for Lord Jagannath for seven months and twenty-seven days, during the tumultuous events of 1731. Among the remnants of this historical event is the Gundicha Kua (Gundicha Well), which continues to resonate with tales of faith and miracles. Let us explore the story of this special well.

The Historical Context: Harishwar Mandap and the 1732 Rath Yatra

Around 1731 CE, the Harishwar Mandap, located in the village of Nairi, served as the refuge for Lord Jagannath during the attacks led by Takhi Khan. During this time of unrest, it was not possible to hold the traditional Rath Yatra, so it was held at Harishwar Mandap, near the village of Nairi, located on the northern banks of Chilika Lake.

The young prince Krishna Ray, son of King Ramachandra Deva, played a pivotal role in organizing the 1732 Rath Yatra, after the deities were moved to the safe haven at Harishwar Mandap. Under the advice of Prince Krishna Ray, the villagers built a temporary Gundicha Ghar (Gundicha temple) in a nearby forest, adjacent to a Banyan tree. They also dug a well on the Tangara land for the use of the Lord and the devotees.

The Legacy of the Gundicha Kua

It’s said that the procession to transport Lord Jagannath from Harishwar Mandap to the temporary Gundicha Ghar, used three carts. The route taken by the carts that day is now famously known as the Bada Danda (Grand Road) , which has remained a place of prominence even 275 years later.

The Banyan tree where the Gundicha Ghar was established came to be known as the Gundicha Bar (Gundicha Banyan), and the well, dug for that event became the Gundicha Kua.

While the Gundicha Bar was destroyed in a cyclone and the Nanda Chhapara (temporary Gundicha Ghar) no longer exists, the Gundicha Kua remains a testament to the rich heritage of this sacred site. This was the only time that a Rath Yatra took place in this location. The story of the Gundicha Kua is filled with tales of miracles and otherworldly occurrences.

Exploring the Site of Harishwar Mandap

• Location: The Harishwar Mandap is located in the village of Nairi. To get there, you can take the Gangadharpur Railway Station on the national highway and take a five-kilometer path to the left.

• Nearby Locations:

  • The Koteishuni temple is situated near Gundicha Bar, which is now lost.

  • To the south lies the Ganga Jhar.

  • To the south of Ganga Jhar lies the Yamuna Nirjhar.

  • Kankanashikhari lies to the south of the Yamuna Nirjhar in the middle of Chilika.

It was at Kankanashikhari, a forested islet within Chilika, that Lord Jagannath’s seva (worship) was conducted, after he was removed from the Harishwar Mandap to be safeguarded from the attacks. Servitors fetched pure water from Yamuna Nirjhar for the Lord’s daily rituals.

While the sacred kund (pond) stones of Kankanashikhari have been dislocated, its dense forest has remained mostly undisturbed, making one realize that this is a place where Lord Jagannath has done his leela (divine play).

The Miraculous Gundicha Kua

The story of Gundicha Kua is associated with various extraordinary events. It is believed that this well, created on the orders of the Lord, still carries the same divine energy. It is a silent witness to a unique time in the history of Lord Jagannath’s journey.

Bringing the Sacred History Home

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