Nilakantheswar Temple, Padmapur, Rayagada

Padmapur is situated 70 km from Rayagada and 20 km from Gunupur. It is famous for its ancient antiquities. This place is surrounded by hills and forests. There are five Shiva temples on the top of the hill, such as the Manikeswar temple, the Dhabaleswar temple, the Mallikeswar temple, the Nilakhantaswar temple, and the Pudukeswar temple. The inscriptions on the walls of Mallikeswar reveal the story of one thousand monasteries and a Buddhist philosopher named Dharmakriti. A perennial water reservoir and a cave found on the hill look very attractive.