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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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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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Comments

  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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