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Odisha Part 5: Two less visited temples

My quest for ancient temples often takes me to hidden corners of the country, often less visited by regular tourists. More often than not, my drivers are completely unaware of these temples, and we often get lost looking for them, despite the ease that Google Maps has provided. On my recent visit to Odisha, I had only two such less visited temples on my list – the Varahi temple at Chaurasi, and the Gangeshwari temple. I had heard and read about the Varahi temple at Chaurasi , and was eager to go see her. The form of Varahi has always fascinated me, and this particular temple was said to have an exceptionally beautiful idol of the deity. Persuading my driver wasn’t an easy feat – he was reluctant (to say the least) about going in search of temples he had never heard of, but my persistence paid off. The Varahi Temple at Chaurasi The Varahi temple dates back to the 9 th century, and the architecture is unusual, as compared to the other temples of Odisha. The temple is closest in st...
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Faces in the Crowd : Two strangers at Amritsar


For Faces in the crowd today, I have two strangers.... two people I clicked at the Golden temple, Amritsar....



The first is obviously a visitor, a pilgrim. He looks so happy, at peace... His object is fulfilled. He has had darshan of the holy book., he has got the divine blessing - the prasad....


The second is more alert. He is obviously an employee of the Temple. He is at work, doing his duty, spear in hand. It doesn't matter that in these days of modern weaponry, his spear will be of no use in a gun battle. All that matters is that he is carrying the sacred tradition of protecting the sacred space, in the manner it has been done for years. 

There is no fear of what may come. This is the one of the few places where no security check is conducted on visitors. We are free to carry anything inside. Even a camera. As I enter the sanctum, an employee notices my camera, and says, "beta, mandir ke andar photo mat nikalna" (child, please don't take a photo inside the sanctum). He doesn't even wait for my assent before turning away to the next pilgrim. Such is the nature of faith and belief. 

These two photos, of two different people represents that same faith and belief, which shows in the happiness of one and the calmness of the other. 

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Location: Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar, Punjab 143006

Comments

  1. AartiJanuary 31, 2013 at 11:04 AM

    Love how they ooze with confidence and pride when they walk... Amritsar- hopefully this year, last year planned in nov and had to cancel :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarFebruary 1, 2013 at 2:31 PM

      Yes, Aarti! Its so nice to simply sit there and watch all the people there... hope you can go this year.. its a beautiful place

      Delete
  2. MridulaJanuary 31, 2013 at 1:18 PM

    Lovely, will wait to see more in this series!

    ReplyDelete
  3. desi TravelerJanuary 31, 2013 at 3:01 PM

    Hi Anu... you have clicked interpreted the two pictures beautifully.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Manu PonnappaJanuary 31, 2013 at 5:00 PM

    Interpretation is really good!!!! Nice observation...

    MANUPONNAPPA.BLOGSPOT.IN

    ReplyDelete
  5. NishaFebruary 3, 2013 at 3:41 PM

    I loved your interpretations about these two pictures which we normally don't even bother to look at. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarFebruary 4, 2013 at 8:44 AM

      Thanks, Nisha! I actually spent a lot of time just sitting there and looking at people come and go.. i had been there before as a kid, and was trying to remember what it had been like then... and since photography was allowed, went on clicking too :D

      Delete
  6. AkankshaMay 29, 2017 at 5:37 PM

    Waoo we are so busy that we don't even notice such things in regular life.. Real good interpretation.

    ReplyDelete

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