Ashok Kumar Bal has a passion  for delving deep into history and heritage, loves to unravel the stories related to people and places. His curiosity to explore the history of the Gajapatis arose from an unusual source―his horoscope made on a palm leaf after his birth by a village jyotish (astrologer). Inscribed on his horoscope, apart from the birth and zodiac details, was the regnal year (anka) and the name of the Gajapati Sri Sri Birakishore Deb, who was the King of Odisha when he was born.