Somavamshi Indradyumna: King of Sakalya-dvipa and the Founder of Shri Mandira

Pramod Kumar Panda

Abstract: This article serves as a remarkably layered exploration of King Indradyumna's historical, spiritual, and cultural identity, tracing his origin not merely through legend but by aligning a spectrum of ancient scriptures-including the Rigveda, Sarala Mahabharata, Odia Bhagavata, and various Pura?as. It is evident that Indradyumna's legacy cannot be encapsulated through a singular lens; rather, his association with Phalguni Arjuna, his descent from the Soma-Vamsha, and his founding of Shri Mandira at Madhupur (now Puri) form a sophisticated tapestry of myth-history. The article unpacks the symbolic and material significance of sacred geography, particularly Sakadvipa, Dhavalagiri, and the Indradyumna Lake, while reflecting on the spiritual continuum embedded in the worship of the unburnt heart of Devaki Putra Vasudeva Krishna. That said, what makes the study deeply compelling is how it bridges mythological motifs-such as the Gajoddharana and Nila Madhab narratives-with early Vedic genealogical and archaeological traces, drawing connections that are bold yet reverent. This suggests that Indradyumna's cultural footprint goes far beyond ritualistic memory, embedding itself in the philosophical ethos of the Jagannath tradition and asserting his place as an eternal symbol of dharmic stewardship and somavamshi continuity.

Keywords: Indradyumna lineage, Somavamshi dynasty, Shri Mandira origins, Nila Madhab worship, Madhupur-Puri history

How to Cite?: Pramod Kumar Panda, "Somavamshi Indradyumna: King of Sakalya-dvipa and the Founder of Shri Mandira", Volume 14 Issue 7, July 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1809-1816, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25728175934, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25728175934