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  <front>
    <journal-meta>
      <journal-id journal-id-type="publisher">BJCR</journal-id>
      <journal-title-group>
        <journal-title xml:lang="en">British Journal of Contemporary Research</journal-title>
        <abbrev-journal-title xml:lang="en">BJCR</abbrev-journal-title>
      </journal-title-group>
      <issn>2979-8582</issn>
      <publisher>
        <publisher-name>Bexford Publishing Ltd</publisher-name>
        <publisher-loc><uri>https://bexfordpublishing.co.uk</uri></publisher-loc>
      </publisher>
    </journal-meta>
    <article-meta>
      <article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">BEX_AUG_26_229</article-id>
      <article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.67693/BJCR-GDRZVURM</article-id>
      <article-categories>
        <subj-group xml:lang="en" subj-group-type="heading">
          <subject>Original Research Article</subject>
        </subj-group>
      </article-categories>
      <title-group>
        <article-title xml:lang="en">Khajureswar Temple Of Shergarh: An Archaeological And Religious Inquiry Into Tantric Practices</article-title>
      </title-group>
      <contrib-group content-type="author">
      <contrib corresp="yes">
        <name-alternatives>
          <name name-style="western" specific-use="primary">
            <given-names>Manasi Nayak</given-names>
          </name>
        </name-alternatives>
        <email>manasinayak323@gmail.com</email>
        <bio xml:lang="en"><p>Fakirmohan University, Balasore, Odisha, India</p></bio>
      </contrib>
      </contrib-group>
      <pub-date date-type="pub" publication-format="epub">
        <day>10</day>
        <month>09</month>
        <year>2026</year>
      </pub-date>
      <volume>1</volume>
      <issue>4</issue>
      
      
      <pub-history>
        <event event-type="received">
          <event-desc>Received: <date date-type="received">
            <day>29</day>
            <month>08</month>
            <year>2026</year>
          </date></event-desc>
        </event>
        
        <event event-type="accepted">
          <event-desc>Accepted: <date date-type="accepted">
            <day>02</day>
            <month>09</month>
            <year>2026</year>
          </date></event-desc>
        </event>
      </pub-history>
      <permissions>
        <copyright-statement>Copyright (c) 2026 Manasi Nayak</copyright-statement>
        <copyright-year>2026</copyright-year>
        <license xlink:href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">
          <license-p>This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.</license-p>
        </license>
      </permissions>
      <abstract><p>Abstract:
Archaeological evidence from the Balasore district, such as hilltop Shaiva shrines, Shakta Iconography, early mediaeval temple complexes, and protective goddess cults, indicates the presence of Tantric religious traditions Integrated into the natural sacred landscapes of the Nilagiri region, At Ajodhya, the Tantric goddess Maa Marichi, Varahi, and Jaina sculptures are found. These sculptures date back to 11th century. The temple contains Tantric, Buddhist and Jaina images suggesting a multi religious ritual centre during the somavanshi period. This indicates that the region was a part of Tantric Buddhist Shakta cultural zone. The current study revealed that the elements of Tantricism and the socialization of Tantric culture still exist in North Odisha particularly in Balasore and Mayurbhanj district, reflecting the long continuing traditions.
Keywords: Archaeological, Iconography, Protective, Tantricism, Traditions.</p></abstract>
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