| The immediate
impression on seeing the temple for the first time is as if the entire structure had
suddenly emerged in a supernatural manner by the bank of the river Dwarkeshwar.4 The image is to be reached by going many steps down the surface and
in utter darkness save the pradip (lamp) of the Purohits. One does get awe-struck by the
environs.The District Gazetteer of Bankura by L.S.S. O'Malley has an excellent description
of the temple which is worth
quotation in extenso: "The village derives its name from a temple dedicated to Siva,
called Ektesvara, which is said to have been built by the Rajas of Vishnupur.
A well in this temple contains the symbol of Siva, a lingam
called anadi, as it is believed that it sprang up miraculously and was not fashioned by
mortal hands. Large gatherings, of which a description is given below, take place here
every year on the penultimate day of the month of Chaitra, and besides that the shrine is
visited daily, especially on Mondays, by Hindus who come to make offerings or to worship
the god."5 |
