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Odisha Part 9 : The Vaital Temple, Bhubaneshwar

The Vaital temple is of the many intriguing temples in Bhubaneshwar. To begin with, the structure itself resembles a South-Indian temple more than the typical Kalingan style that we see everywhere else in Odisha. The temple has been dated to the last quarter of the 8 th century CE. Further , unlike most of the temples in Bhubaneshwar, this temple is not dedicated to Lord Shiva. Inside the sanctum is one of the deities who is very rarely seen in a sanctum – Chamunda, along with the Saptamatrikas. This is evidently a Shakta shrine. However, the presence of Lakulisha on the vimana indicates the connection with the Pasupata sect, which is most prevalent in this region during this time period. Further, the name of the temple – ‘Vaital’, comes from the word ‘ vetala’ , referring to spirits, which were invoked by tantrics to attain siddhis. Thus, this temple is an amalgamation of Pasupata and Shakta philosophy, with a strong emphasis on tantric rituals, and this is reflected in the iconogra...
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Navaratri Experiences – 10

Navami – the ninth day of Navaratri is dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of learning. At home, we place books and writing implements near the altar of the God, and place an image of Saraswati over it. We do not read or write the whole day, taking the books out and reading them only on the next day, Dusshera, when it is auspicious to begin studies. We pray not only to the goddess of learning, but also to those things which aid us in learning. In the south, students welcome this day, as it gives them a respite from studies, but for us, it has never been so. I remember, we not only had school, but also exams during this period, and had no choice but to study on this day too. My mother used to make me keep textbooks of those subjects whose exams I had already completed, and had to use the other books to study. Not once did I get a break from studies as my cousins in Chennai did. Today, Samhith has no exams, so thank God; we can keep his books for the puja, but just for a couple more years. Then he too will experience the same things that I did.

Navami is also the last day for the decoration at the temple, and predictably, it was of BRAHMA and SARASWATI.

From Miscellaneous

From Miscellaneous

Meanwhile, where ever I went, I could see preparations for seeing off the Devi underway. Here is a photo I clicked of a vehicle being decorated to carry the goddess on her journey to her home, via the sea. It looked beautiful even as they were decorating it. It will look fantastic in the night with all the lights on…..

From Miscellaneous

The festival dedicated to the goddess comes to an end with Dusshera –the tenth day. The images of the Devi all over India will be immersed in the water, Kolus will be dismantled, and this series of blogs on Navaratri will also come to an end. We have much planned for Dusshera, but to read about it, you will have to wait one more day. Goodbye until then………
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