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Odisha Part 2 - Puri: The Experience of Jagannath

The temple of Jagannath at Puri is one of the four most important temples across India. Sometimes called the Char Dham – Badrinath in the north, Rameswaram in the South, Dwarka in the west, and Puri in the east – these temples mark four corners of our country, and each of these temples has a connection to Adi Shankara. He is said to have travelled to each of them, thus marking a sacred geography of India, long before the country actually existed. Among these 4 temples, 3 are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, while only Rameswaram is dedicated to Lord Shiva, though the lingam there is said to have been installed by Rama. Further, Shankara set up Mutts at 3 of these sites (or very close to these sites, like at Badrinath, where the mutt is at Joshimutt), while the mutt in the south is at Sringeri in Karnataka, quite a distance away from Rameswaram. Coming back to the topic, I have visited Rameswaram most often, Badrinath during my childhood, and Dwaraka a few times, but Puri had stayed out of re...
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Skywatch Friday - On the riverside

For Skywatch today, is a scene that could be from anywhere in rural India..... a riverside scene....


A cowherd brings his cows and buffaloes to the river... they drink and they bathe... and so does he. I clicked this somewhere in interior Maharashtra, while on our way to the Lonar Crater, but, as I said before, it could be from any part of the country.

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  1. AnonymousMarch 15, 2013 at 9:39 AM

    Nice Calm and soothing pic ! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarMarch 15, 2013 at 10:45 AM

      Thanks nd60! it was indeed a serene and peaceful place..

      Delete
  2. MridulaMarch 15, 2013 at 9:43 AM

    I agree it could be from any part of the country! Well captured.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 15, 2013 at 10:22 AM

    Fabulous shot - so tranquil.

    ReplyDelete
  4. desi TravelerMarch 15, 2013 at 12:20 PM

    Like they say.. it happens only in India... beautiful shot of everyday rural India...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarMarch 15, 2013 at 12:52 PM

      Absolutely!!!! where else can you see cows and men bathing together?

      Delete
  5. Gail DixonMarch 15, 2013 at 11:39 PM

    It's a beautiful place and photo. Thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. D.NambiarMarch 16, 2013 at 6:34 AM

    So right. That could be anywhere in India.
    Such a feel-good photo. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarMarch 16, 2013 at 11:50 AM

      Thanks!!! but never thought of it as a feel good photo.. but i guess a river with water is certainly something to rejoice about!

      Delete
  7. Nishant PatelMarch 16, 2013 at 12:30 PM

    This pic made me remember of my hometown. Great click loved it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarMarch 21, 2013 at 9:21 AM

      Thanks Nishant! glad to have brought back your memories!

      Delete
  8. Posting Load and TruckMarch 16, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    Thanks for the great post.

    ReplyDelete
  9. IndraniMarch 16, 2013 at 3:33 PM

    Typical Indian ambiance there!

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownMarch 19, 2013 at 5:07 AM

    Amazing vibe this place gives me. Thanks for documenting it so well! Hope you check out my budget travel blog soon :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarMarch 21, 2013 at 10:14 AM

      You are welcome, Tyler... and its so good to hear that it gives you good vibes!

      Delete
  11. R Niranjan DasMarch 19, 2013 at 6:25 PM

    Serene setting.

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in

    ReplyDelete

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