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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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Skywatch Friday - Mountains and the Sky


Lush green, pine-covered mountains extend till the horizon, while the snow capped peaks are hidden by the clouds.... this was the typical scenery as we travelled across Almora and Binsar.

For more skies around the world, go to Sky Watch Friday


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  1. chitraApril 23, 2010 at 8:09 AM

    Wish I could see the snow capped mountains, at least that would have brought some coolness to escape the sweltering heat here.
    Was it cold there?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Smalltown RNApril 23, 2010 at 8:27 AM

    Those moutains look so inticing..wonderful photo...hope you enjoyed your adventure!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anuradha ShankarApril 23, 2010 at 10:51 AM

    @Chitra: the weather was good early in the morning and in the evenings... afternoons were really hot , but of course, nothing as it is here! it was,after all, summer! you too should go sometime.. the sight of the snow capped mountains is wonderful, but even better if you go to those mountains themselves....

    @smalltown RN: thanks.... oh yes, we did ! it was just too wonderful!
    and i saw the sunrise pics in your blog! wow! what was that dark thing?? did u find out??? it almost looked like a whirlwind in the sky!

    @J Bar: thanks....and your pics are great too! the moon looks awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Carolyn FordApril 23, 2010 at 11:49 AM

    What a beautiful scene. I would love to be standing there gazing at that!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gemma Wiseman aka Pamela AdamsApril 23, 2010 at 3:32 PM

    Beautiful, soft and mystical atmosphere here in these mountains! Lovely photo!

    ReplyDelete
  6. MridulaApril 23, 2010 at 9:28 PM

    Mountains are so refreshing! Beautiful picture.

    ReplyDelete
  7. KcalpeshApril 24, 2010 at 2:35 PM

    The place looks so beautiful and inviting! Almora and Binsar are the names now added in my TO VISIT list :-)

    Pixellicious Photos

    ReplyDelete
  8. muthuApril 25, 2010 at 3:58 AM

    Snow capped mountains- always makes me sing the age old tamil classic song- Pudiya vaanam, Pudiya boomi- engum pani Maalai poligirethe---

    I loved the snap.. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anuradha ShankarApril 25, 2010 at 1:06 PM

    @CarolynL thanks...... it was really great, looking at the wide expanse of mountains....

    @Greyscale territory: thanks a lot!

    @Mridula: thanks.....

    @Kcalpesh: yes, you should certainly go! would love to see what you come back with.. pics i mean!

    @muthu: oh yes..... these are places which surely make you sing!

    ReplyDelete

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