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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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Do you know the name of this fruit?

My father-in-law is building a bridge over a river near a small village in Karjat (near Mumbai). This place is fairly remote, which is why they didn't have a bridge in the first place.... you can guess how remote when I tell you that they still don't have electricity!!! 

Well, anyway, he came back home last night with a fruit the villagers had given him. he thought we would know the name, so he didn't bother to ask them. As it happens, we have no clue! Can any of you help us identify it? 



It looked ripe, so we cut it, but it turns out it wasn't quite ready to be eaten. It still tastes Ok, though!!!



Update: It is a Ram Phal, a variety related to the Sita Phal or custard apple. Thanks a lot, Chitra and Bhavesh for the info... Thanks to you both, I can now teach Samhith about another fruit!!


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  1. Tarun MitraFebruary 10, 2010 at 2:18 PM

    An alien fruit :P

    ReplyDelete
  2. MridulaFebruary 10, 2010 at 2:30 PM

    Looks exotic but then I also do not know the name.

    ReplyDelete
  3. chitraFebruary 10, 2010 at 2:33 PM

    Anu
    It is from the family of Seeta phal and this is called Ram phal. we do have a tree of this, in my uncle's house. This is a very common fruit available in Kodaikanal and would weigh around 750 gms. to a kilo and skin is green . But I prefer this pink variety , which is more tasty. Seeta phal has more seeds and this has more flesh and less seeds too. My favourite.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anuradha ShankarFebruary 10, 2010 at 2:37 PM

    @Tarun: it actually did look like that :)

    @Mridula: exotic or not, it grows in one of the most sparsely inhabited places next to this crowded city!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Bhavesh ChhatbarFebruary 10, 2010 at 2:47 PM

    If I'm not wrong, it's Ramphal. It's like Sitaphal [Custard Apple].

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    ReplyDelete
  6. Anuradha ShankarFebruary 10, 2010 at 2:48 PM

    @Chitra : thanks so much for the identification. I had heard of Ram phal, but had no idea what it looked like.... the taste reminded us of the sitaphal, but we did not realise it was a similar one... i have updated the blog with the detail...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Bhavesh ChhatbarFebruary 10, 2010 at 2:49 PM

    Oh! I see Chitra has already answered you correct :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. jayasreeFebruary 10, 2010 at 3:16 PM

    on seeing the cut fruit, it gave an impression of sita phal. But then never knew there is one called ram phal. Thanks Anu for posting it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. indicaspeciesFebruary 10, 2010 at 9:09 PM

    I see am a bit late here, but I am aware it is Ram Phal. Sita Phal and Ram Phal are some of my favourite fruits.

    I kept eating some tasty Ram Phal fruits in Ooty last month and they were so rich and heavy that I finally skipped dinner that evening.

    ReplyDelete
  10. chitraFebruary 10, 2010 at 10:12 PM

    Just visited to tell you, an award is awaiting for you. Visit my blog:) all the best.

    ReplyDelete
  11. IndraniFebruary 11, 2010 at 10:30 AM

    I like the taste of Sita phal more. :)

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  12. Nav Nirman FoundationAugust 11, 2010 at 4:04 PM

    I was happy to see a Ram Phal I want some information is it the same or related to the fruit graviola.please need this information.Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2010 at 3:05 PM

    I like to look at sita fal

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  14. ChittualbertFebruary 27, 2012 at 11:40 AM

    And this is also have ability to cure cancer 10,000 times better then chemo medicine. will i get this in bangalore

    ReplyDelete
  15. kuntaSeptember 30, 2012 at 9:51 AM

    its a ram phal ... however I dont know where in India do we exactly get this fruit ??? wanna know its a seasonal fruit, or not and also whether it is available in high altitutude places like in himalayas, in sikkim, himachal etc ???

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownDecember 4, 2012 at 5:19 PM

    Google soursop and and you will know every bit of ram phal

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarDecember 4, 2012 at 5:43 PM

      Thanks for the info, but soursop is Hanuman phal, not Ram phal.. this one doesnt have thorns

      Delete
  17. AnonymousMarch 31, 2013 at 3:39 PM

    Custard apple (Annona reticulata) /Red Custard apple

    ReplyDelete

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