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Odisha Part 2 - Puri: The Experience of Jagannath

The temple of Jagannath at Puri is one of the four most important temples across India. Sometimes called the Char Dham – Badrinath in the north, Rameswaram in the South, Dwarka in the west, and Puri in the east – these temples mark four corners of our country, and each of these temples has a connection to Adi Shankara. He is said to have travelled to each of them, thus marking a sacred geography of India, long before the country actually existed. Among these 4 temples, 3 are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, while only Rameswaram is dedicated to Lord Shiva, though the lingam there is said to have been installed by Rama. Further, Shankara set up Mutts at 3 of these sites (or very close to these sites, like at Badrinath, where the mutt is at Joshimutt), while the mutt in the south is at Sringeri in Karnataka, quite a distance away from Rameswaram. Coming back to the topic, I have visited Rameswaram most often, Badrinath during my childhood, and Dwaraka a few times, but Puri had stayed out of re...
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Memories of 2012 - Nanded to Lonar

November brought us the Diwali vacation, and the most memorable trip so far this year. We set out for Nanded, starting with a visit to Aundha Nagnath and Parali Vaidyanath, two Jyotirling Shrines in the vicinity....



We spent Diwali at the Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan at Shegaon, where it was a calm and quiet Diwali, celebrated with beautiful Rangolis...



and people lighting lamps all over the complex... even the rooftops...


We wrapped up our tour with a visit to the Lonar Crater Lake..... I have still not been able to pen down my experiences, but this is one post you can look forward to reading soon in the new year!


And, as you read this post, I am on my final trip of the year.... a winter vacation at Shimla! I will be in the train when the new year dawns, and am hoping that the new year is full of travels too! Usually, I do not make new year resolutions, but this year I do have one - to catch up with my writing. To try and write as many posts as I can and share all my experiences with you! 

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Location: Lonar crater lake, Maharashtra

Comments

  1. LeonidDecember 31, 2012 at 2:48 PM

    Great info to have. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. DietmutDecember 31, 2012 at 8:49 PM

    Happy New Year too!!!!

    http://dith-plukeenogenblikvandedag.blogspot.nl/2012/12/jouw-beschermengel-your-guardian-angel.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarJanuary 2, 2013 at 3:55 PM

      Thanks Dietmut! and wish you a great year ahead too!!

      Delete

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