BHUBANESWAR, INDIA, July 4, 2003: A temple built in 10 A.D. to Nagi has been discovered in the village of Ghasiandhuti, in Khurda district of Orissa. The villagers worshipped the Deity as “Uttarayani” not knowing that it was a Nagi (female Snake Deity) image. The Superintendent of the State Archaeological Department, Dr. B. K. Rath says the site was being inspected for conservation under the funds from the 11th Finance Commission. He said that, in the past, Naga (male) and Nagi sculptures have been found on the outer wall of temples such as the Rajarani Temple, the Megheswari temple and the Mukteswar temple but this is the first temple that has Nagi as the presiding Deity. Dr. Rath said the upper part of the three feet high sculpture inside the temple depicts a female Goddess in human form from waist upwards. The discovery of the Nagi temple indicates the prevalence of Naga cult in the area during 10th century CE.
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