ODISHA 5 KHANDAGIRI, UDAYAGIRI AND DHAULAGIRI

 UDAYAGIRI AND KHANDAGIRI

^{Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves are situated about 10 kms. from Bhubaneswar. These are partly natural and partly artificial caves of archaeological, historical and religious importance near the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha, India. The caves are situated on two adjacent hills, Udayagiri and Khandagiri mentioned as Kumari Parvata in the Hathigumpha inscription. They have a number of finely and ornately carved caves built during the 1st century BCE. It is believed that most of these caves were carved out as residential blocks for Jaina monks during the reign of King Kharavela. Udayagiri means "Sunrise Hill" and has 18 caves while Khandagiri has15 caves.}

^{The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, called Lena in inscriptions, were dug out mostly during the reign of Kharavela for the abode of Jaina ascetics. The most important of this group is Ranigumpha in Udayagiri which is a double storeyed monastery. Another important cave is Hathi Gumpha}

^{The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, called lena in inscriptions, were dug out mostly during the reign of Kharavela for the abode of Jaina ascetics. The most important of this group is Ranigumpha in Udayagiri which is a double storeyed monastery. Another important cave is Hathi Gumpha}

^{Rani Gumpha is the largest and most popular cave among the caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri. The word 'Rani' means Queen. Although it is not an architectural marvel, it has some ancient beautiful sculptures.}

^{This cave is double storeyed. Each storey has three wings and the central wing is bigger among all the three wings. The lower floor has seven entrances in the middle wing whereas the upper floor has nine columns. The upper portion of the central wing has relief images depicting the victory march of a king. Many of the cells have carved dwara pala images; some of them are disfigured. The area that connects the central wing with right and left wings have some panels where the sculptures of wild animals, fruit-laden trees, human figures, women playing musical instruments, monkeys and playful elephants are found. The pilasters contain the toranas (arches) decorated with sculptures of Jain religious importance and royal scenes.}

^{Cave No.10. Ganesha Gumpha}

^{Ganesha Gumpha is one of the most important caves in Udayagiri. The cave got this name due to the carved figure of Ganesha on the back of its right cell. Of course, it would have been carved in the later period and it cannot be the original work. The cave has two big statues of elephants carrying garlands at the entrance and is the first example of sculpture animals used as a guard to the entrance. Also, the carved figures of dwara palas are found at the entrances. The carvings in this cave narrate the story of the elopement of Bassavadatta, Princess of Ujjayini, with King Udayana of Kausambi in the company of Vasantaka.} 

^{Entry Fee:  Rs.25 for Indians and Rs.300 for foreigners}

^{Timing. The caves are open throughout the day.}

^{Guides: Authorised guides are available and will charge Rs.300 for Khandagiri alone and Rs.500 for both Khandagiri and Udaigiri.}

^{SHANTI STUPA DHAULAGIRI}

^{Dhauli hill is presumed to be the area where the Kalinga War was fought.  Rock Edicts are found here and two separate Kalinga Edicts. In Kalinga, he expresses his concern for the "welfare of the whole world". The rock-cut elephant above the Edicts is the earliest Buddhist sculpture of Odisha. The stone elephant shows the animal's foreparts only, though it has a fine sense of form and movement. It is considered as one of the few remains of Mauryan art. Ashoka had a special weakness for Dhauli, where the battle was fought. The Daya river is said to have turned red with the blood of the many deceased after the battle, and enabled Ashoka to realize the magnitude of horror}

^{associated with war. He saw to it that Dhauli became an important centre of Buddhist activities. He built several chaityas, stupas and pillars there. He instructed that hermitages be excavated where recluses could meditate, issued instructions to be inscribed for officials expounded the main principles of dandaniti (strict enforcement of laws) for the public, and thereby provided special status to his new kingdom including the stupas at Dhauli. On the top of the hill, a dazzling white peace pagoda has been built by the Japan Buddha Sangha and the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangha in the 1970s.}

 Edict XIII: The edicts are Rock engraved on a large piece of rock, written in Pali. The Kalinga War and Dhamma-Vijaya. The conquest of Kalinga at the eastern coast of India by Ashoka (268-233) in the year 261 BC was an event of greatest historical importance for India and world history.

The rock edict is located near the historical sight of the Kalinga war which is said to have transformed Samrat Ashok. In these inscriptions, Ashoka refers to himself as "Beloved servant of the Gods" (Devanampiyadasi). The inscriptions revolve around a few recurring themes: Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism, the description of his efforts to spread Buddhism, his moral and religious precepts, and his social and animal welfare programme.

                                                            

 

ODISHA 6 LINGARAJ TEMPLE, BHUBANESWAR

LINGARAJ TEMPLE BHUBANESWAR

The Lingaraja temple is the largest temple in Bhubaneswar. The central tower of the temple is 55 m tall. The temple represents the quintessence of the Kalinga architecture. The temple is believed to have been built by the kings from the Somavamsi dynasty, with later additions from the Ganga rulers. The temple is built in the Deula style that has four components namely, vimana (structure containing the sanctum), Jaganmohan (assembly hall), Nata Mandira (festival hall) and Bhoga-mandapa (hall of offerings), each increasing in the height to its predecessor.

Bhubaneswar is called the Ekamra Kshetra as the deity of Lingaraja was originally under a mango tree (Ekamra) as noted in Ekamra Purana, a 13th-century Sanskrit treatise. The temple is active in worship practices, unlike most other temples in Bhubaneswar and Shiva, is worshipped as Harihara, a combined form of Vishnu and Shiva. The temple has images of Vishnu, possibly because of the rising prominence of Jagannath sect emanating from the Ganga rulers who built the Jagannath Temple in Puri in the 12th century.

The presiding deity in the sanctum sanctorum is 'Swayambhu Linga' (Self-originated), a symbol of half Shiva and half Vishnu. This is the unique feature of the Lingaraj Temple as the harmony of Shivaites and Vaishnavites is seen in this temple. Lord Lingaraj is worshipped here as Hari-Hara, a combined form of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. The idol is a huge granite stone, which is about 8 feet in diameter and projecting 8 inches above the surrounding platform. The flag on top of the shikhara is erected on the bow Pinaka of Vishnu instead of the Trishul of Shiva. The 'Lingam' is bathed daily with water, milk, and bhang (Marijuana). An image of Lord Ganesha is situated to the south, at the back is the image of Goddess Parvati, and Lord Kartikeya is set to the north. The stone carvings, pillars, and halls of the temple are added attractions of the temple. Lingaraj Temple also has lots of other shrines and small temples inside the vast courtyard.

The temple is open from 6 am to 9 pm. In between, it is shut for some pujas inside where public is not allowed. The temple admits only Hindus. The temple is at the center of the city and is approachable to all vehicles.

ODISHA 4 -KONARK TEMPLE

Here the language of stone surpasses the language of man”, says Rabindranath Tagore, about the iconic Sun Temple at Konark.

Konarak is our next destination in our trip to Odisha.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Konark Sun temple is a striking model of ancient artistry and fluidity of ideas. Dedicated to the sun god, Surya, the first rays of the sun fall on the entrance of the temple. Much of the temple has fallen into ruin but what remains still holds enough charm to captivate.  Konark temple was initially built on the sea bank but now the sea has receded and the temple is a little away from the beach. This temple was also known as 'BLACK PAGODA' due to its dark color and used as a navigational landmark by ancient sailors to Odisha

The Konark temple is widely known not only for its architectural greatness but also for the sophistication and abundance of sculptural work. Konark is an exceptional mixture of marvelous temple architecture, heritage, exotic beach, and salient natural beauty. The large structure of Konark Temple seen today is actually the entrance of the main temple. This has the appearance of a 30 m high chariot with immense wheels and horses all carved from stone. Since the ruler used to worship the Sun, the temple was considered as a chariot for the Sun God. Konark Temple was designed in the form of a gorgeously decorated chariot mounted on 24 wheels, each about 3  M in diameter, and drawn by 7 mighty horses. The entrance is guarded by two huge lions, each killing a war elephant and beneath the elephant is a man. The lions represent pride, elephants represent wealth and both of them consume a man.

The main temple which enshrined the presiding deity has fallen off and only the remains can be seen. Even in its ruined state, it is a magnificent temple reflecting the mastermind of the architects that imagined and constructed it. It was about 61 m high. A heavy magnet was placed at the temple top and every two stones of the temple are sandwiched by iron plates. The idol was said to have been floating in the air due to the arrangement of magnets. The magnet at the top is said to have disturbed compasses for coastal voyagers and later on removed.

The structures and elements that have survived are famed for their intricate artwork, iconography, and themes, including erotic kama and mithuna scenes. It is a classic illustration of the Odisha style of Architecture or Kalinga Architecture.

Sun Temple was built in the 13th-century in dedication to the Hindu Sun Lord – Surya, by King Narasingha Deva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. Another theory says that Krishna ‘s son Samba was suffering from leprosy. He stayed in Puri, took a bath in the sea and watched the sunrise every day and prayed to Sun God for 12 years. He was cured of the disease. In gratitude, Samba had the temple constructed.

Timings: Open from 8 am to 6 pm

Entrance fee: Rs. 3o for Indians and Rs.250 for foreigner

Light and Sound show at 7 pm: Rs.30

Festival: Chandrabhaga Mela   : February

Konarak Dance  Festival: December 1^st week

Photography allowed.

Approved tourist guides are available on payment.

Chandrabhaga beach is about 3 kms away.

A few restaurants are available nearby.

A few resorts and good hotels also exist for those who would like to stay overnight