My quest for ancient temples often takes me to hidden corners of the country, often less visited by regular tourists. More often than not, my drivers are completely unaware of these temples, and we often get lost looking for them, despite the ease that Google Maps has provided. On my recent visit to Odisha, I had only two such less visited temples on my list – the Varahi temple at Chaurasi, and the Gangeshwari temple. I had heard and read about the Varahi temple at Chaurasi , and was eager to go see her. The form of Varahi has always fascinated me, and this particular temple was said to have an exceptionally beautiful idol of the deity. Persuading my driver wasn’t an easy feat – he was reluctant (to say the least) about going in search of temples he had never heard of, but my persistence paid off. The Varahi Temple at Chaurasi The Varahi temple dates back to the 9 th century, and the architecture is unusual, as compared to the other temples of Odisha. The temple is closest in st...
Before I get ready to bid goodbye to the lord who has kept us occupied for the last 10 days, here are a couple of Ganeshas I saw yesterday – a bonus, so to speak…. These are actually the first I should have seen, but as it turned out, they were the last I managed to photograph….
The first one is the Ganesha right next to Samhith’s school in Garodia Nagar.
Can you guess what the Ganesha is decorated with? Shells!!! Samhith was delighted! He now has grand ideas about what to do with all the shells we have collected!
Last but not the least, this one is our colony Ganesha – this is the Ganesha we all make our contributions for, every year, and religiously visit as often as possible. To give them credit, they try and make something interesting every year, mainly for the kids who run off there every time we pass by the mandal, which is several times a day!
This year, the theme was a railway line, all for Chedda Nagar, and this has gone a long way in making Samhith decide that our theme for the Navaratri has to be his railway line too…… and of course, he wants all the other things there too – mountains, rivers, lakes, temples…. The whole set, in fact! Wonder what I am going to do!
Meanwhile, the roads are all lit up and bright, adding to the festive atmosphere…..Thank God, we don’t have those loudspeakers!!
Well, that seems to be all for now, unless I manage to see some interesting idols on their way to immersion. Doesn’t look likely, but then, you never know……
The first one is the Ganesha right next to Samhith’s school in Garodia Nagar.
Can you guess what the Ganesha is decorated with? Shells!!! Samhith was delighted! He now has grand ideas about what to do with all the shells we have collected!
Last but not the least, this one is our colony Ganesha – this is the Ganesha we all make our contributions for, every year, and religiously visit as often as possible. To give them credit, they try and make something interesting every year, mainly for the kids who run off there every time we pass by the mandal, which is several times a day!
This year, the theme was a railway line, all for Chedda Nagar, and this has gone a long way in making Samhith decide that our theme for the Navaratri has to be his railway line too…… and of course, he wants all the other things there too – mountains, rivers, lakes, temples…. The whole set, in fact! Wonder what I am going to do!
Meanwhile, the roads are all lit up and bright, adding to the festive atmosphere…..Thank God, we don’t have those loudspeakers!!
Well, that seems to be all for now, unless I manage to see some interesting idols on their way to immersion. Doesn’t look likely, but then, you never know……
Your posts are treat to eyes!
ReplyDeleteI am gonna call them eye candy :)
hehe
Samhith inspires me very much, I was like him during my days and its great to see his imagination unfolding in a unique way , waiting for your navratri specials :) all ready ?
I put the shells I collect in the flower pots! The shell Ganesha is spectacular!
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