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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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Just for fun.....

Chitra, of My Pilgrimage, has passed on an award with a few rules..... 1. to acknowledge the giver, 2. to list 10 things that you like, and 3. to pass on the award to 10 others.



Thanks, Chitra...for passing this on...... You have set a big task for me... and all I can do is try!!

First, about the things I like, I am going to list only 5, for those are all I could think of....... and am too lazy to go on.....
1. Reading
2. Writing
3. Spending time with my son, reading or playing with his blocks
4. Visiting new places
5. Attending Book exhibitions, concerts and visiting Art Galleries.

Now, to pass this on.... I am not keeping count, but am just tagging those I think would like to continue this....

Patricia
Bhavesh
Flowergirl
Usha -Usha, I don't know whether you would actually like to do this, but I have added your name just so that I could see something new on your blog :)
Aarti

Incidentally, have any of you noticed the new pages I have added on the blog???? Please take a look and tell me what you think!




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Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 12, 2010 at 11:58 AM

    Anu.. thats fab.. Huge task on me now!!

    Hey.. I noticed the new pages on your blog.. Well done!! I'm going to read them now!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 12, 2010 at 12:02 PM

    Anu... Love the about page.. I like the way you've put a short description.. and then followed by detailed page about yourself. Love the way its written.. keeps you going till the end. Well done.. once again!

    ReplyDelete
  3. UshaFebruary 12, 2010 at 12:45 PM

    hey, how do i see these new pages on ur blog?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anuradha ShankarFebruary 12, 2010 at 1:15 PM

    @Patricia: Looking forward to seeing what u make of it.... and thanks for the appreciation.... had to think so much to make it readable:)

    @ usha: you can see them on the main page of the blog... just below the banner.. just click on them...

    ReplyDelete
  5. chitraFebruary 12, 2010 at 2:55 PM

    Nice, knowing more about you Anu. Good work!

    ReplyDelete
  6. FlowergirlFebruary 12, 2010 at 5:06 PM

    That's so nice of you, Anu. *Hugs*

    Hey, you know I'm working on my blog. I will do it for sure but give me some time.

    Btw, your new pages are cool and perfect.

    ReplyDelete

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