The Hindu and Buddhist history of Odisha , or rather, ancient Kalinga, is rather well known to everyone. Who hasn’t heard of the grand temples of Odisha – Puri, Lingaraj and Konark, or the great war of Kalinga which inspired Ashoka to convert to Buddhism? In contrast, very few know of the Jaina heritage of this region. This is quite a pity, since, just around 7 km from the city, is one of India’s most ancient inscriptions, which throws light on the Jaina heritage of Odisha. This inscription is the Hathigumpha inscription of Kharavela, in the hills of Udaygiri. Udaygiri and Khandgiri are two hills located opposite each other, and both are testaments to the rich Jaina heritage of Odisha. The caves at Udaygiri are older, while Khandgiri is relatively newer, but has lasted much longer, and continues to be a place of pilgrimage for Jains even today. These hills, from inscriptions and excavations of caves, shrines and rock beds, appear to have been a haven for Jaina monks, right from the ...
Before I get ready to bid goodbye to the lord who has kept us occupied for the last 10 days, here are a couple of Ganeshas I saw yesterday – a bonus, so to speak…. These are actually the first I should have seen, but as it turned out, they were the last I managed to photograph….
The first one is the Ganesha right next to Samhith’s school in Garodia Nagar.
Can you guess what the Ganesha is decorated with? Shells!!! Samhith was delighted! He now has grand ideas about what to do with all the shells we have collected!
Last but not the least, this one is our colony Ganesha – this is the Ganesha we all make our contributions for, every year, and religiously visit as often as possible. To give them credit, they try and make something interesting every year, mainly for the kids who run off there every time we pass by the mandal, which is several times a day!
This year, the theme was a railway line, all for Chedda Nagar, and this has gone a long way in making Samhith decide that our theme for the Navaratri has to be his railway line too…… and of course, he wants all the other things there too – mountains, rivers, lakes, temples…. The whole set, in fact! Wonder what I am going to do!
Meanwhile, the roads are all lit up and bright, adding to the festive atmosphere…..Thank God, we don’t have those loudspeakers!!
Well, that seems to be all for now, unless I manage to see some interesting idols on their way to immersion. Doesn’t look likely, but then, you never know……
The first one is the Ganesha right next to Samhith’s school in Garodia Nagar.
Can you guess what the Ganesha is decorated with? Shells!!! Samhith was delighted! He now has grand ideas about what to do with all the shells we have collected!
Last but not the least, this one is our colony Ganesha – this is the Ganesha we all make our contributions for, every year, and religiously visit as often as possible. To give them credit, they try and make something interesting every year, mainly for the kids who run off there every time we pass by the mandal, which is several times a day!
This year, the theme was a railway line, all for Chedda Nagar, and this has gone a long way in making Samhith decide that our theme for the Navaratri has to be his railway line too…… and of course, he wants all the other things there too – mountains, rivers, lakes, temples…. The whole set, in fact! Wonder what I am going to do!
Meanwhile, the roads are all lit up and bright, adding to the festive atmosphere…..Thank God, we don’t have those loudspeakers!!
Well, that seems to be all for now, unless I manage to see some interesting idols on their way to immersion. Doesn’t look likely, but then, you never know……
Your posts are treat to eyes!
ReplyDeleteI am gonna call them eye candy :)
hehe
Samhith inspires me very much, I was like him during my days and its great to see his imagination unfolding in a unique way , waiting for your navratri specials :) all ready ?
I put the shells I collect in the flower pots! The shell Ganesha is spectacular!
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