Anantashayana Vishnu, Rock relief monument in Dhenkanal district, India
Anantashayana Vishnu is a carved sandstone relief in Dhenkanal district showing the Hindu deity reclining on the serpent Ananta with four arms. The entire sculpture was cut from a single rock outcrop and remains in its original outdoor setting.
The relief was created in the 9th century when the Bhauma-Kara dynasty ruled the region and commissioned religious sculptures. This period saw a flowering of stone carving traditions dedicated to Hindu deities across central Orissa.
This site holds deep religious significance for Hindu worshippers who come to pay their respects at the carved figure. The location remains an active place of devotion where visitors can observe how local communities connect with their spiritual traditions.
Access to this monument is possible by road from nearby Saranga Village, with a route that passes through the surrounding countryside. Visitors should come during cooler months when outdoor exploration is more comfortable and viewing conditions are clearer.
This carving is unusual because it shows the deity in a horizontal reclining position rather than the standing or seated poses more commonly seen elsewhere. The sheer scale and technical skill required to extract such a large figure from solid rock make this a remarkable achievement of medieval craftsmanship.
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