The Temple of Shola-pua-ma
By D. R. Mankad
Summary
Describing a little‑known shrine near Cuttack, this article recounts the history and features of the temple of Shola‑pua‑ma. Once located inside railway premises, the temple was moved to the bank of the Taldanda canal when the old structure was demolished. It now houses broken icons and two large four‑armed statues of Avalokitesvara with inscriptions in Kutila script that repeat Buddhist dharanis, suggesting the shrine’s Buddhist origin. The present deity, represented by smeared stones, receives animal sacrifices from devotees, particularly the South Indian community in Cuttack. The author notes a trilingual (Persian, Tamil and Oriya) inscription from 1841 recording a donation by Subedar Meghraj, possibly a Maratha, and hypothesises that the goddess may be linked to Sholapur Amma of Maharashtra. The article calls for epigraphic study and preservation of the temple’s sculptures.
AI-assisted summary, not yet checked. Consult the original PDF before citing.
Conclusion
The Shola‑pua‑ma temple epitomises layers of religious history: a Buddhist past, a Hindu present, and a likely Maratha connection. Its Avalokitesvara icons deserve scholarly attention, and the goddess’s identity may illuminate patterns of migration and cultural transfer in colonial Odisha.