Author: Dinabandhu Nayak

Odisha is a diverse habitat of forests, rivers, grass-lands, marshes and beaches. Crocodiles lurk in the marshy realm of Bhitarkanika, Olive Ridley turtles throng the beach at Gahirmatha, Irrawaddy Lakhari Valley Wildlife Sanctuarydolphins dance in the seas and thousands of birds flock the largest coastal lagoon in the country – Chilika Lake. Beyond well-known wildlife haunts like Simlipal, Satkosia and the NandanKanan Zoo near Bhubaneswar, there’s a great wealth of wildlife across the state. With over 20 wildlife sanctuaries, Odisha is a shining beacon of abode for various forms of wildlife. One of the sanctuaries is the Lakhari Wildlife Sanctuary…

The state of Odisha consists of a number of marvellous architectures. The ancient buildings and constructions of the historical age carry a lot of significance even today. One of such extraordinary works is the Sun Temple at Konark. The Chariot of The Sun God, The Konark Sun Temple is a magnificent temple dedicated to the living God Sun was built in the 13th-century CE. Also known as Konark Surya Mandira, the Sun temple of Konark is situated about 35 kilometres northeast from Shree Khetra town Puri. King Narasimhadeva I The Sun Temple of Konark , also known as Langula Narasimha…

The Mukteshwar temple, situated in the capital city of Bhubaneswar, is a magnificent temple dedicated to lord Shiva. Well-known as the “Gem Of Odisha Architecture”, the Mukteshwar Temple is a regal monument that dates back to the 10th century AD. This distinctive temple is one of the smallest and compact temples of Odisha. The Mukteshwar temple is the greatest example of a great combination of sculpture and architecture.Several shrines or lingam of Lord Shiva can be found in the temple. Various sculptures of ascetics forming different meditation poses can be found all around the temple. The Muktesvara temple is a…

Nature has blessed our mother earth with greenery and wildlife. The conservation of flora and fauna is necessary for  survival of everyone. For the free movement of the animals and birds, a number of sanctuaries and national parks as well as reserves are there in our country. Similipal National Park of Odisha is one such destination. Filled with rich and exotic flora and fauna, it is the 7th largest national park in the country. The home to Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, gaur, and chausingha Similipal National Park , it also surrounds some of the beautiful waterfalls like Joranda (217 m)…

Situated at a distance of 8 kms to the south-east of the famous Sun Temple at Konark in the district of Puri is the ancient Buddhist site of Kuruma. The aerial view of the site shows a modern temple that has three Buddhist images those have been structured as the crowned Buddha seated in mudras namely, Bhumisparsa, Padmapani Avalokitesvara and Revanta. The local residents worship these three statues collectively in the form of ‘Yamadharma’. Excavation of the Site Kuruma is the only Buddhist monastery near the coast of Odisha, and so would have been a sfe haven for sea travellers…

In Hindu Puranas and mythological descriptions, the Kailash Mountain range in the Himalayas is believed to be the living place of Lord Shiva And Goddess Parvati Mahadev Chandrasekhar Temple . Here in Odisha, Kapilash Temple is the identical spot with the Kailash which is the legendary abode of Lord Shiva. Surrounded by green forest, the Kailash Temple is enshrined on the loftiest peak of Kapilas Range in the Dhenkanal District. Otherwise known as Chandrashekhar Mahadev Temple, it carries a great significance of history and devotional importance of Odisha Mahadev Chandrasekhar Temple. About and Location Along the boundary of Cuttack and…

Located in the Nayagarh district of Odisha is the Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary which was constructed on 6 May 1981. The sanctuary lies in close proximity to the Satkosia Gorge Wildlife Sanctuary Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary bound by the Mahanadi River along the entry. Spread at an approximate area of 168.35 square kilometres, this heavenly place is a must stop destination for nature lovers. Aesthetics of the Sanctuary The Baisipalli sanctuary gets its name from the existing 22 settlements that reside in periphery of the sanctuary’s range. Additionally, the entire zone has been comprised as the revenue villages. The sanctuary is an…

The language of Odisha that we call Odia has a long history and a rich legacy, spreading far and wide with the boundaries of Kalinga. Any study of Odia literature (literature of Odisha) is therefore going to be a daunting task filling thousands of pages. This article is not meant to be an exhaustive resource of Odia literature but more of an overview of its evolution from an early language now extinct to the modern Odia we find today. We will go by chronological order with archaeological findings and documentary evidence to establish a plausible chain from the beginning to…

English Translation I adore Thee, O Mother Bande Utkala Janani ! How loving are thy smile and voice! O Mother! Mother! Mother! Bath’d art Thou by the sacred Sea, Thy shores adorned with trees tall and green, Balmy breeze blowing by beauteous streams, O Mother! Mother! Mother! Thy body bedecked with dense woodlands, Arrayed with verdant hills plaited like waves, Thy sky ringing with choirs of singing birds, O Mother! Mother! Mother! How charming are Thy rich fields of paddy ! Thou art Eye to Erudition enow, Sacred Abode to saints and seers, O Mother! Mother! Mother! Thy land bejewelled with…

Literature is ever lasting and the creators of it are ever living. Time flows but the colours of a true artist never fades away. Meanwhile life is a course of tales we experience every moment. Everyone of us has a keen of reading stories. Lovers of literature are many but a few understand the contemplation behind a writer’s pen. The soil of Odisha has given birth to some extraordinary men and women who have left no stone unturned in regard to harvesting golden corps in the field of literature. Manoj Das, a very popular name in the Odia Literature owes…