Markandeya Tank, Puri – The Tank
Markandeya Tank is an open
structure which is enclosed within stone walls made of laterite blocks. The
tank is irregular in shape and 8.5 meters below the present road level. Its
sides measure 106.68 m. (350 ft) on the northern side, 154.8385 m. (508 ft) on
the eastern side, 117.348 m. (385 ft) in the southern side and 165.2026 m. (542
ft) on the western side. The tank covers an area of nearly 1.6187 hectares
(4.598 Acres). Bathing Ghats are provided for the tourists in southern side of
the tank.
The tank is fed by a natural
spring from the underground. The excess and waste water is discharged through
an outlet channel in the north-eastern wall. As a result, the water level of
the tank remains constant throughout the year. An inlet channel in west side is
found in dilapidated condition. The specialty of the tank is that there is a
sacrificial altar at the centre of the tank. Markandeswar Temple can be found
on the south side of the Tank.
In the north eastern corner of
the compound wall there is a niche. In the northern wall there are fifteen
niches. In the western wall there are thirty four niches. In two of these
niches detached sculptures are there. It appears that originally these niches
of the tank house various cult images. Two detached sculptures of female figure
and Hanuman are noticed in the north eastern compound wall of the tank.
Previously at the northern side
of the tank, there are seven stone images, each four feet high, kept over a
platform representing the Sapta Matrikas or seven sacred mothers (Brahmi,
Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamunda). These Seven
Mothers are also accompanied by images of Lord Ganesha and Lord Virabhadra. Each
idol is about four feet high kept over a platform. These idols are flanked by idols
of Ganesh and Virabhadra at each side. Each mother except Chamunda has her
child in her lap. A new shrine by the side of Gamha Vedi has been built to
house all the idols.
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