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Odisha Part 11: Discovering the Jaina Heritage of Odisha at the caves of Udaygiri and Khandgiri

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 ...
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Sky Watch Friday - Random Clicks from Cars and Train

Welcome back, and Wish you all a wonderful New Year!!

I am back at last from my trip - the last one of 2011 and also the first one of 2012. I was accompanied throughout by some wonderful weather, the cyclone Thane throwing no hurdles in my path, just a lot of clouds and some rain to enliven our travel! For Skywatch Friday today, here are some random scenes from my trip!








I clicked this pic from the train, fascinated by the flaming colours of the sky.
I clicked lots of pics, and this one turned up with a ghostly image of a tree! 


For more beautiful images from around the world, go to Sky Watch Friday!

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Comments

  1. JewaiciousJanuary 6, 2012 at 12:12 PM

    What beautiful captures of nature, landscape and environment.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mridula DJanuary 6, 2012 at 12:20 PM

    Lovely skies all around.

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  3. AartiJanuary 6, 2012 at 12:26 PM

    hey Anu.. Welcome back and good to hear that Cyclone Thane dint spoil your journeys.... lovely set of pics, my fav is the 1st one, looks so dramatic and beautiful.... : )

    here's to an awesome year ahead

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lady FiJanuary 6, 2012 at 12:35 PM

    What a lovely series of shots. Love the fiery sky with the ghost tree!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anu ShankarJanuary 6, 2012 at 1:38 PM

    Yes, Mridula..... the skies were too lovely all along! couldnt even capture half of it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anu ShankarJanuary 6, 2012 at 1:39 PM

    Thanks Aarti!! that first one was taken on spur of the moment, from bro in law's car!! surprised it came out so well!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anu ShankarJanuary 6, 2012 at 1:39 PM

    Thanks so much! i love that one too, esp since i was so surprised by the result!

    ReplyDelete
  8. VidyaJanuary 6, 2012 at 2:40 PM

    Nice shots Anu! Did you touch Chennai? Will await further posts..

    ReplyDelete
  9. Team G SquareJanuary 6, 2012 at 6:42 PM

    Awesome Clicks , loved the first snap .

    ReplyDelete
  10. DeeJanuary 7, 2012 at 8:50 AM

    Very cool

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anu ShankarJanuary 8, 2012 at 12:13 PM

    Hi Vidya, no I didnt touch chennai.. was at coimbatore and tiruppur and went to puttaparthi later...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anu ShankarJanuary 8, 2012 at 12:13 PM

    Thanks a lot, Team G Square~

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anu ShankarJanuary 8, 2012 at 12:14 PM

    Thanks Dee!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anu ShankarJanuary 8, 2012 at 12:17 PM

    Thanks a lot!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. ArtiJanuary 9, 2012 at 3:33 PM

    Amazing clicks, the tree shot is magic!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anu ShankarJanuary 10, 2012 at 1:06 PM

    Thanks so much, Arti!

    ReplyDelete

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