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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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Jungle Babblers

These are probably among the commonest of birds, but here, the Jungle Babblers are sitting on some beautiful works of art, which are equally uncommon......




We saw these birds wherever we went, and I did take many photographs...these two were taken at Chittorgarh.....


and this one at Aurangabad....


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  1. sriAugust 4, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    you shd really compile this and put a book :)
    Am ready to design it :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. sriAugust 4, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    i mean the bird series :P

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anu ShankarAugust 4, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Thanks, Sri!Whenever I am ready, you are the one I am going to come to! 

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anu ShankarAugust 4, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    got it :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Neha AnimeshAugust 5, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    Your shots are lovely, Anu!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anu ShankarAugust 5, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    Thanks, Neha!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Team g squareAugust 5, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    Wonderful capture , these birds usually  will be in group of seven . 

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anu ShankarAugust 5, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    Thanks! I know.. have heard these called as the seven sisters, but never managed to get them as a group!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. seenuAugust 20, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    great collections....nice to see all this..
    http://tagoremedicalcollegeandhospital.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. AshJune 1, 2012 at 4:07 PM

    Wow, good photographs!

    ReplyDelete

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