Author: Dinabandhu Nayak
Hidden in the Keonjhar district is a road that can be called the driver’s paradise. Kanjipani Ghati This 20 km stretch of highway passes through the picturesque Kanjipani valley at a height of 610m above sea level. A part of AH-46, this section of road is only about 30 km away from Keonjhar city. The best time to visit here is during winter and rainy seasons. During this time, clouds touch down on the valley itself, giving it the look as can be seen above. Don’t forget to bring warm clothing as temperatures can plummet below 0C in winter. For…
Kalahandi has always been one of the most backward parts of the country. We have known this. Everyone knows this. The development index of this district is very low, with constant rumours of famine related deaths. But hidden behind all this tragedy is a history of defiance. Of rebellion against nature. In this post we will discuss the history and culture of this place we left behind in our pursuit of progress. We will examine its environment, its people, its traditions and its contributions to Odisha. So let us begin. Historical Origins There have been many archaeological finds in Kalahandi…
Perfect lines of houses, their dividers enhanced with canvases, will welcome you when you enter verdant Raghurajpur town, about 10km from Puri, the well-known pioneer and sea shore town of Odisha. Indeed, even without asking, you will acknowledge you have entered a craftsmen’s town where homes bend over as workshops. Once known as the guardian of Odisha’s antiquated pattachitra workmanship, to a great extent because of late Jagannath Mohapatra (winner of President of India’s honour in 1965) who lived here, today the town houses craftsmen rehearsing different conventional expressions. The managing god of Puri, Lord Jagannath and his kin, go…
Odisha the state of great heritage and culture, where the green paddy fields speak of the pastoral idyll is full of natural beauty . The landscape of Bewitching Sea Beaches Odisha has always been able to win the heart of everybody. This Eastern state of India shares about a coastal length of of 450 kilometre and lies along the Bay of Bengal. The most important part of sea life in Odisha is the beaches and fishing activities. Odisha has its own recognition of sea beaches that offer a perfect charm and an exotic feel of the setting sun. What makes…
Odisha is among those states Reigning Deity Of Banki in the nation that triumphantly boost numerous temples. While plenty of these abodes have reclaimed international pride, there are others that silently speak of our state’s culture and heritage. The Maa Charchika is one of such shrines. In the waterway bank of Renuka, in a hillock called Ruchika Giri, is discovered the seat of Maa Charchika, the delightful goddess of Banki. It is one of the most seasoned Shakti spots of the State, situated in the core of Banki town of Cuttack locale. The home deity of Banki, Goddess Charchika and…
Among all the temples of Lingraj Temple Odisha, the Lingaraja temple at Bhubaneswar deserves special mention. It bears architectural splendour and is regarded as one of the best archaeological monuments of the east reflecting the Kalinga type of architect; with all its perfection. It was constructed between 1025 and 1065 A.D. A gigantic structure of about 180 feet high dominating almost the entire landscape of Bhubaneswar back then. The temple stands within a spacious compound of laterite measuring 520 by 465 feet surrounded by a number of smaller temples. The presiding deity of this temple is known as Tribhubanesvara (Bhubaneswar)…
Baladev Jew Temple (Tulasi Khetra), Sri Sri Baladev Jew Temple is situated in Ichhapur, Kendrapara, Odisha. This temple is called Tulasi Kshetra (Tulasi Abode), and is one of the popular locations for pilgrims after Sri Jagannath Dham, Puri. The Lord here is Sri Sri Baladevjew, Sri Sri Jagannath’s elder brother. Sri Baladevjew, Sri Jagannath and Subhadra are worshiped together here. The site is also called Gupta Kshetra, Tulasi Khetra, Gupta Brundabana , Sri Baladeba Khetra and Khetra Manibigraha Sri Sri Baladev Jew Temple. There’s an idol in the sacred seven steps which represents Tulsi as a seated goddess. Devi Tulasi…
Odisha, the state of religious beliefs and sacred places is full of shrines and temples. Every temple has its own beauty, architecture style, a legend behind it and the religious aspects. Such a unique temple is the Ladukeshawr temple or popularly known as Ladoo Baba temple which enshrines the God Ladukeshwar as its deity. Ladoo Baba temple is one of its kind, enshrining the combined shrines of Hari (Vishnu) and Hara (Shiva). The temple located in the hilly region of a small district named Saranakula in the Nayagarh district is a replica of the Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar. Sarankula is…
Bhubaneswar known as the City of Temples is dotted all over with many beautiful temples which are reminiscent of a glorious past. The Vaital Deula or Vaitala (meaning spirit or ghost) Deola (or Devalaya, a place where idols are worshiped) temple is situated in an nondescript corner of old Bubhaneshwar. Architecture of Vaital Deula Vaital Deula Temple was built in the 8th century and the region was a part of the Kalinga Empire. A striking feature is the temple’s tantric associations, marked by strange carvings in the sanctum and the image enshrined in the central niche, eight armed Chamunda, locally…
The Khirachora Gopinath Shrine is a beautiful temple in Remuna; a place just located at a distance of 9 km in the eastern side of Baleshwar in the state of Odisha. It is the temple of Lord Krishna. Visitors admire this magnificent temple Khira Chora Gopinath Temple, the name of which originated from the word ‘Ramanya,’ meaning attractive or good-looking. The main deity here is Sri Gopinath, who stole sweet rice for ‘Madhavendra Puri’ . The other altars next to Gopinath, Sri Govinda, Sri Madan Mohan, Sri Radha-Rasbihari and the famous Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, together with Lord Jagannath, can be…