Research & Documentary Archive
Research forms the foundation of Dr. Sahoo's heritage work, connecting archival records with living places and traditions.
Balugaon College Internship Program
A signature educational initiative guided by Dr. Susant Kumar Sahoo is the heritage fieldwork internship with the Department of Odia, Balugaon College. Under Dr. Sahoo's academic guidance, college students conducted structured field surveys on Kankanashikhari island and the surrounding Chilika coastline.
Students learned historical documentation methods, transcribed local oral folk traditions, examined architectural remnants, and recorded religious lore preserved among hereditary temple priests.
“When students experience heritage directly, research becomes living knowledge.”
This program directly connects higher education with regional history, nurturing a new generation of youth proud of their cultural roots and committed to conservation.
Fieldwork Internship
Balugaon College • Department of Odia
- Field visits to Kankanashikhari sanctuary
- Oral history documentation with elders
- Catalogue of stone relics and inscriptions
- Academic reporting & certificates awarded
The Documentary Archive
Institutional records, government proceedings, and archival documents validating the historical significance of Kankanashikhari and Harihareshwar Temple.
Original Document Scans (Click to Enlarge / Inspect)
Historical Transcription (Odia & English Translation)
“ଲୀଳାକ୍ଷେତ୍ର କଙ୍କଣ ଶିଖରୀ (ନଇରୀ) କୁ ଦାନସୂତ୍ରେ ଏକ ରଥଚକ ଦେବା ସଂପର୍କରେ:
ଅଷ୍ଟାଦଶ ଶତାବ୍ଦୀରେ ମୋଗଲ ଆକ୍ରମଣରୁ ରକ୍ଷାକରିବା ପାଇଁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କୁ ଖୋର୍ଦ୍ଧା ଚିଲିକା ନଇରୀ ନିଆଯାଇଥିବାର ସୂଚନା ମିଳେ । ପୂର୍ବ ସ୍ମୃତିକୁ ଆଧାର କରି ଚିଲିକା ଭିତରେ ଥିବା ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ଏହି ଲୀଳାକ୍ଷେତ୍ରର ଐତିହ୍ୟର ପୁନରୁଦ୍ଧାର ପାଇଁ ନଇରୀର ଅଧିବାସୀମାନେ ପ୍ରୟାସ କରି ସେଠାରେ ଏକ ରଥ ଚକ ସ୍ଥାପନ କରିବାକୁ ଆଗ୍ରହ ପ୍ରକାଶ ପୂର୍ବକ ରଥ ଚକକୁ ଦାନ ସ୍ୱରୂପ ନେବା ପାଇଁ ଅନୁରୋଧ କରିଛନ୍ତି... ସଭା ଏହାକୁ ଅନୁମୋଦନ କଲେ ।”
“Regarding the grant of a Ratha wheel by way of donation to Leela Kshetra Kankanashikhari (Nairi):
Records indicate that in the 18th century, Lord Jagannatha was moved to Nairi in Chilika, Khordha to protect the deity from Mughal attacks. Based on this historical memory, for the revival of the heritage of this sacred Leela Kshetra inside Chilika, residents have requested the donation of a Ratha wheel... The Committee approved this resolution.”
“Copy forwarded to Dr. Susant Kumar Sahoo, Chilika Lake, Leelakshetra Nairi, Khordha for information and necessary action, pursuant to the decision of the Sri Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee.”
Context: Formally catalogues the registered property, historical boundaries, and custodial rights of the Harihareshwar Temple under the State Endowment Commission.
Download Full Record (PDF) ↓Context: Minutes of high-level inter-departmental meetings chaired by ministers and collectors ensuring safety and marine coordination during the Jala Ratha Yatra.
Documented in Trust ArchivesResearch & Scholarly Contributions
Jagannatha Heritage of Chilika
Monograph detailing the transit geography, island havens, and ritual ties between Puri and the Chilika lagoon.
Kankanashikhari Island Sanctuary
Archival analysis of 18th-century temple records and the defense refuge status of the island.
Nairi & Harihareshwar Sacred Lineage
Study tracing the institutional donation of the sacred Ratha wheel from Puri to Nairi temple.
Srijagannath Leela Madhuri
Annual Odia-language publication documenting the living heritage, cultural programmes, and community initiatives of the Kankanashikhari sanctuary. 2nd Annual Special Edition.