Lankeswari Temple

Lankeswari Temple holds a fascinating place in the history, mythology and spiritual traditions of Sonepur. Situated on an island in the Mahanadi River, the shrine is associated with Shakti worship and Tantric traditions. Copper plates dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries CE, bearing inscriptions of Somavamsi Prince Kumara Someswaradeba, provide historical evidence of the region's past. Sonepur was once known as Paschima Lanka, meaning "West Lanka". Local folklore connects this intriguing identity with ancient river forts, tales of wealth and alternative interpretations of Lanka's legendary past in the Ramayana. This cultural connection finds expression in the annual Lanka Podi or Lanka Dahana festival during Dussehra, when a terracotta effigy of Lord Hanuman is ritually burned and cast into the river. More than a place of worship, Lankeswari Temple offers a glimpse into the layered history of Western Odisha, where inscriptional evidence, living traditions and epic lore converge.