The Rajarani Temple in Bhubaneshwar gets its name from the stone used to build it - the red and yellow sandstone used here is locally called Rajarani. This temple was once known as the Indreshwara temple, which is mentioned in the Ekamra Purana, which tells us about the temples of Bhubaneshwar, which was then known as Ekamra Kshetra. Today, the temple stands in a well-maintained lawn, and is the only ticketed monument within the city. The temple is built in the typical Kalinga style, with the tall curvilinear shikara over the garbagruha , and a jagamohana connected to it. The temple is believed to date back to the 11 th century, and is most well known for its sculptures. The entrance to the temple has two pillars with a Naga couple protecting the sanctum, holding garlands in their hands. The base of the pillar shows 3 lions standing over 3 elephants, a typical motif in temples of this region during this period. On the other side of the pillar is a horse and rider, and the two mo...
We continued our Gokarna trip by visiting four other Shiva temples in the vicinity, all connected to the same story of Gokarna. The story of Gokarna mentions the Mahabaleshwara Lingam as the one brought from Kailas by Ravana, and kept at this place on the ground by Ganesha. (See my earlier post- Gokarna – Pilgrimage and Pleasure). However, the story does not end here. It is believed that, in his anger, Ravana flung aside the materials which covered the lingam- the casket, its lid, the string around the lingam, and the cloth covering it. All these items became lingams as soon as they touched the ground. These four lingams, along with the main Mahabaleshwara lingam are collectively called the ‘ Panchalingams’ . These are: Mahabaleshwara – the main lingam Sajjeshwar – the casket carrying the lingam. This temple is about 35 Kms from Karwar, and is a 2 hour drive from Gokarna. Dhareshwar – the string covering the lingam. This temple is on NH17, about 45 Kms south of Gokarna. Gunavanteshw...
Excellent!
ReplyDeleteLovely click....
ReplyDeleteLovely capture. I think I have seen this bird but then I was out with Chhavi and I was not having the camera! Beautiful.
ReplyDelete@Usha: I thought of you at once! It was sitting on the tree op my house and then it flew to the guava tree.. you would have a wonderful view!
ReplyDelete@Silence Sings: tjanks
@Mridula: apparently it is a common bird.... so says my aunt who is a zoologist... she says that she has seen it often outside our house in thane.. though i have never noticed it before!
wonderful capture!!
ReplyDeleteHi Anuradha, I found your blog while searching for an image of a golden oriole in India to complement Sarojini Naidu's beautiful poem. The bird above captured so beautifully on film seemed the right fit!
ReplyDeletePlease take a look at how it's been used [your name and a link to your blog has been given after the poem] and let me know if it is okay to use it this way.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=219469238169567
Thank you so much.
We're a new page on facebook and would love to feature your blogs there from time to time.
Meenakshi