(the preserver of all scripture). Nrusinghnath is a form of the Hindu Lord Vishnu. Gandhamardan In the Treta Yuga (the Silver Age), Jambavan (the unerring counselor of Rama) had suggested Hanuman to bring Bisalyakarani ere dawn, so that Lakshmana would rise back to life. It was in the middle of the war between Lord Rama and Ravana. Hanuman failed to identify the particular herb and carried on his shoulders a huge Himalayan mass. While flying above and proceeding toward Lanka (the kingdom of Ravana), a portion dropped down. Gandhamardan is synonymous with that portion only. The Nrusinghnath temple is situated at its base. As the mountain range is famous for its rich fauna and flora. Govt. and private run many herbal gardens are situated near it. SSN Ayurveda College & RI is situated near it, which is a premier Ayurveda Institute of western Odisha. The Lumbini Garden of the institute is one of the biggest herbal gardens in India with thousands of rare herbs. Parimalagiri Glowing tributes are paid to Hiuen T'sang, the champion Chinese traveler, who was attracted by the scenic splendor of Gandhamardan, during his tour to Dakhin Koshal (part of which is current Chhattisgarh and the bewitching colorful zone of Western Odisha). He has spoken of the flowering Buddhist University of Parimalagiri (po-lo-mo-lo-ki-li), which had its campus on the picturesque Gandhamardan hills. Ecological Pyramid Besides being home to more than 5000 rare medicinal herbs (some hitherto - unidentified), providing medicines for fatal diseases like cancer, tuberculosis, leprosy, filarial, epilepsy, asthma, kidney and liver dysfunctions even AIDS, Gandhamardan serves as a wildlife sanctuary for a large number of rare species of birds and animals and thereby donating its portions towards balancing the Global Ecological Pyramid. The Temple The foundation for the temple was laid down by Baijal Dev on 17 March 1413 AD. as per inscriptions. The temple of Lord Nrushinghnath is only high. It is divided into two parts; the first being the seat of the Lord – a short, raised narrow plinth and the other Jaga Mohan (the antechamber) having three gates and is supported by four pillars, the like found nowhere in Odisha. The rocks used in the Jaga Mohan pillars are of a rare kind. They are not seen in the Gandhamardan hills. Believed that, from far-off places, Baijal Dev had brought them. With a soft rubbing, these rocks begin to scintillate, to a