Markandeya Tank, Puri – The Tank

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.