Sculptural Expressions of Naga Worship: A Study of Nagamatha and Odisha's Sacred Sites

ABSTRACT:This report presents a comparative study of the sculptures at Nagamatha, a sacred site near Nemalo in Odisha,focusing on its detached sculptures and their archaeological, historical, and cultural significance. The site featuresa Nagi (serpent goddess) image, along with other sculptures, such as a horse rider, Chamunda, and a fragment of aNavagraha panel. Naga worship in Odisha, deeply rooted in ancient traditions, is explored, with references tovarious deities and festivals associated with serpents. The sculptures at Nagamatha are compared with similar onesfound at other Odisha sites, including the Svarnajaleswar Temple and Patamundai Hill, revealing shared themes inNaga worship across different religious traditions. The study highlights the importance of Nagamatha inunderstanding the region’s diverse religious practices, with particular emphasis on the integration of Naga worshipin Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.