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 ...
Returning back to Mumbai, I found an opportunity to visit a place I had been planning to, for a long time.... the Joshi Museum of Miniature Railways in Pune...
As miniature railway enthusiasts, the only thing which stops us from setting up our own railway system is the lack of space! Visiting the miniature cities in Europe remains a far off dream, and the museum set up by the Joshis in Pune is the only one of its kind in India.
To read more about it, click on the link below:
As miniature railway enthusiasts, the only thing which stops us from setting up our own railway system is the lack of space! Visiting the miniature cities in Europe remains a far off dream, and the museum set up by the Joshis in Pune is the only one of its kind in India.
To read more about it, click on the link below:
जयपुर से निकली गाडी दिल्ली चले हल्ले हल्ले. I remembered the song from Sridevi and Rishi from yhe film Gurudev where this type of miniature railway musuem was shown along with a city. But that was quite large.
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