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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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The Meeting of the Rose Ringed Parakeets

I just realised that I have not posted any bird images on my blog for quite a long time. One of the reasons for this is that the tree opposite our house has been pruned, which has led to fewer bird arrivals. The ones which do come, don't wait long enough for me to get my camera. However, I have managed to capture a few here and there.... Here are a group of Rose Ringed Parakeets which seem to be having a meeting...

At first there were just two on the lamp post...



They were soon joined by a third...


Look at the expressions....


Doesnt it make you wonder what is going on?


The third one especially appeared to be in a pensive mood...


Looking down frequently as if he was looking for something on the rusting lamp post..


All the while, this one, on a tree right opposite the lamp post, seemed to be keeping an eye on the happenings, but refused to be drawn in...


The meeting ended when the third parakeet flew off, and the first two decided to tease this one which stayed apart. He flew off, and the two flew off too, chasing him!

Doesn't that make you wonder what the 4 parakeets were up to?

Update: While I was writing this post, the one person whom I kept thinking about was Suranga Date, or Ugich Konitari, as we all know her. She always comes up with the most amazing lines on the most unexpected photographs. Her lines always bring a smile to my face, and as I wrote this post, I wondered if these photos would induce some memorable lines too... And yes, they did!! While you can read what she wrote in her comments, you will enjoy them even more if you head over to her blog where she has posted the lines in her own inimitable style!!Here is the link: 


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Comments

  1. P.N. SubramanianOctober 1, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    The moods captured are fantastic. I presume it is a social issue.

    ReplyDelete
  2. MridulaOctober 1, 2012 at 10:04 AM

    Your post makes me wonder what they were up too amd it brought a smile to my face :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ugich KonitariOctober 1, 2012 at 11:11 AM

    The Chairparakeet
    at the top
    in lights,
    and her smart protege
    steeped in guava economics
    and FDI in Trees;
    both wondering
    how the fiery one
    on the eastern pillar
    will react.

    " No ! I cannot
    and will not allow
    FDI in trees, ever ;
    what will my fellow birds eat ?"
    She said determinedly.

    The Chairparakeet
    gave a slight nod,
    and
    the fiery one,
    ever aware of the niceties,
    bowed and said,
    "i am sorry, but I must withdraw..."
    and flew off.

    Some distance away,
    another parakeet,
    statue-like and stately,
    watched the proceedings,
    as the Chairparakeet approached....

    No one knows what was said,
    but this one too
    flew away.

    Crisis time.
    The Chair parakeet
    and the smart protege,
    were last seen winging south...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarOctober 1, 2012 at 12:55 PM

      Thanks so much, Suranga!!! I am amazed, as usual, with the way you instantly come up with these wonderful lines!!! you made my day!

      Delete
  4. Ugich KonitariOctober 1, 2012 at 12:50 PM

    http://kavitalihi.blogspot.in/2012/10/parakeets-and-politics.html

    ReplyDelete
  5. ShrutiOctober 1, 2012 at 2:07 PM

    This was an amazing capture. I too love watching the activities of the birds that fall on the tree in front of my house. It gives a different kind of pleasure as well as happiness. The pictures of the parakeets indeed makes me wonder what are they upto. Thanks for the nice post.

    ReplyDelete
  6. R Niranjan DasOctober 3, 2012 at 6:43 PM

    Nice shots.

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousOctober 3, 2012 at 9:38 PM

    delighted to read this post. loved your site. you are here http://trishanka.wordpress.com/links/

    ReplyDelete
  8. SudhageeOctober 4, 2012 at 11:56 AM

    Wonderful captures, Anu. I wonder what they were thinking, communicating about. I wonder...

    ReplyDelete

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