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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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A Slithering Visitor

We were returning from school and stopped by our compound wall to look at snails (as usual), trying to see if all of them were still around, when we spotted what we first took to be a rope, and only later realised was a snake! Both of us looked on, fascinated by the slithering creature which wove its way in and out of the holes in the wall, looking for God alone knows what! I realised that I had left my camera at home, and rushed up to bring it, wondering if it would still be around when I returned! It seemed to be a patient creature, for it was still around, and I did manage to get a couple of snaps, though not too good ones..... but at least now I have evidence that I have actually seen a snake in my yard!!!

It seems to be pure luck that I managed to get the entire snake in the frame for the very first pic.... Can you see its head and its tail?? and how it has managed to get in and out of the holes??


Here's a closer look at its head...... along with a lizard too... which hogs the limelight here....


But these were all the pics I could manage before it seemed to realize that it was being watched, and slithered into the undergrowth!  We barely had time to notice the greenish yellow underside before it disappeared, forget taking a pic! Neither of us had the guts to go looking for it again!!!
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Comments

  1. LakshmiJuly 27, 2010 at 10:02 AM

    Hi, I wanted to see a snake last week , nice to see it on your post

    ReplyDelete
  2. AswathiBabuJuly 27, 2010 at 10:08 AM

    anu
    congrats for the hillarious effort

    ReplyDelete
  3. IndraniJuly 27, 2010 at 10:09 AM

    That was quite brave of you!
    Great clear captures both.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MridulaJuly 27, 2010 at 10:40 AM

    I would have run away if I saw one! Great to see that both of you stood your ground.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anuradha ShankarJuly 27, 2010 at 10:45 AM

    @Lakshmi: You wanted to see a snake last week?? Why on earth?? I was so scared, but stood still only because I was fascinated and also sure that it wasnt poisonous!!

    @AswathiBabu: thanks :)

    @Indrani: not really, it was quite safe from where I was,, and I was close enough to run back inside our building :)

    @Mridula: I am sure you wouldnt have run away! you would have got much better pics with your camera!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. VidyaJuly 27, 2010 at 2:27 PM

    That was brave! And good you were able to click that picture! Nice one!

    ReplyDelete
  7. chitraJuly 27, 2010 at 5:19 PM

    snakes gives me creeps.I don't think I would have taken a photo like that.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownJuly 28, 2010 at 5:09 AM

    I love seeing those little creatures making there way around!

    ReplyDelete
  9. SoulSpaceJuly 28, 2010 at 9:50 AM

    I really cherish yr comments...so promptly that you do leave them...
    interestingly..this post has a snake in it...and as yu know my latest too has one...
    i am sure we are destined to meet sometime in life...and figure out a connection that preexisted!!
    Take care

    ReplyDelete
  10. AartiJuly 30, 2010 at 12:33 PM

    I like watching Snakes on tv.. Thats it!!!

    Seen one when i was small,hidden behind the bathrom door [me inside the bathroom]. and then again one slithering away when i had just brot Floppy[doggie] home as a pup...

    Wow, not only did u see one, but managed to click pics too...brave woman :D

    Lakshmi's been wanting to see one since last week..lolz..!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. indicaspeciesAugust 1, 2010 at 5:43 PM

    Yikes!

    ReplyDelete
  12. flowergirlAugust 4, 2010 at 9:39 AM

    Wow, that is some snake and some photo! How long it must have been, to go in all those holes and still be seen!

    ReplyDelete

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