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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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Memories of 2012 - Mumbai

October and November saw us exploring places in Mumbai we had been planning to visit for a long time..... First on the list was the Bhau Daji Lad Museum...



Our next destination was the newly opened Snow World at Phoenix Market City, Kurla West.



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  1. LaloofahDecember 30, 2012 at 10:05 PM

    Wow, that museum is amazing! Looks a bit like an historic European cathedral.

    Snow World? Seriously? LOL - everyone I know in North America who is getting snow is complaining about it, while in some parts of the world people go to great lengths and expense to try and have it. Just goes to show... we are strange creatures, always wanting what we don't have and not appreciating what we do!

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    1. Anuradha ShankarJanuary 2, 2013 at 3:59 PM

      Yes, Laloofah! It does look like a cathedral! and you are so right!!! we always want what we can not have. It is so hot here, and winter just means a slight chill in the air early in the morning, and that too in the outskirts of the city. In the city itself, we never feel a nip in the air, and most of us try to head out to cooler climes whenever we can! no wonder we have such a fascination for snow!! snow worlds have come up in other cities in India too, and are proving to be a big hit with the kids! Its after cheaper than actually going to any place we get snow!

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