Heritage Enthusiasts and University Students Explore Kumbha Kshetra on World Heritage Day
Balasore, 20/4 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty) — On the occasion of World Heritage Day, various institutions organized programs aimed at preserving and promoting cultural heritage. Among them, the students of the Department of History and Archaeology at Fakir Mohan University undertook an insightful field visit to Kumbha Kshetra in Nilgiri—a region celebrated for its harmony of nature and culture.
Accompanied by more than 44 students, the educational journey was led by Assistant Professors Dr. Shikhashri Ray and Shanti Gopal Jena, Project Fellows Parshuram Mohanty and Soumyashree Nayak, and PhD Scholar Bhagyashree Mishra. During the tour, the students explored the occupational, linguistic, artistic, and cultural traditions of the local Kumbhakars (potter community). They visited heritage-rich landmarks such as Kumbha Bhela, Kumbha Ghar, Kumbha Jhara, Kumbha Dwara, and Kumbha Mancha, and witnessed a 200-year-old active potter’s kiln, a living testimony to Odisha’s vibrant legacy.
Eminent personalities including Dhananjaya Swain, retired Additional Secretary of the Odisha Government’s Energy Department, noted poet and columnist; and Pradeepta Kishore Satapathy, Independent Secretary; along with several heritage enthusiasts, also visited Kumbha Kshetra to immerse themselves in its heritage offerings.
To revive and celebrate the past, traditional elements like dhingi (wooden rice pounding tool), bullock carts, leaf cottages, tree houses, and thatched huts were showcased. These items not only added authenticity but also evoked the charm of bygone rural life.
Highlighting Odisha’s rich culinary heritage, the local community served over 25 traditional dishes through the concept of ‘Budhi Maa Thali’. The spread featured items like bodi chura (stone-ground sun-dried lentil dumplings), lime, chutneys, raita, fried items, sour preparations, roasted and mashed vegetables, kanji (fermented rice soup), and mandia-based dishes (foods made from finger millet).
The event concluded with a heartening and enlightening talk by Keshudas, the chief artisan of Kumbha Kshetra. Through simple and vivid storytelling, he shed light on the cultural and ecological wealth of the region, including the nearby Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary. His narration deeply resonated with the audience, leaving them enriched with heritage awareness and pride.
