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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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The last days of 2012

Over the last week, while I enjoyed one last vacation before the year came to a close, I wrote posts reminiscing about the year gone by... the places we visited, the events we attended. It is now time to move on into the new year and enjoy whatever it brings. I do not usually make New Year resolutions, but have one in mind this year.... to write more often. Last year, I travelled a lot.... almost every month! and sometimes more than once a month!!! I hope I get more opportunities for travel this year, but I also hope I can catch up with writing about all the places I have been to!! 

However, before I move on to writing detailed travelogues,  there is one more post to add to "Memories of 2012" - Our Winter Vacation!




Shimla had been on my wishlist for years. Not only had I not visited any hill station in the north, but Shimla had a connection to me too... My grandfather spent his summers there, at a time when the town acted as the summer capital of the country. He passed on too early for me to know details of his life there, but the town always aroused my imagination every time I read something about it. So, while Samhith harped on going to Manali to enjoy the snowfall, I put my foot down and insisted on going to Shimla this year.. We could go to Manali or elsewhere in search of snowfall another time. However, as it turned out, the vacation was more about him than anything else. I did little for myself but walk around the town and relax in my room, reading books, while you can see for yourself what Samhith did....

He posed at the Rock Gardens in Chandigarh...



Father and son enjoyed swinging... also at the Rock Gardens...



He refused to pose at Shimla...



A trek to the mountains above Mashobra led us to the snow clad peaks, which, at last convinced him that yes, it did snow at Shimla and Mashobra too!!



He tried skiing at Narkanda....



and also played in the snow to his heart's content...



He tried ice skating at the oldest, and the only natural skating rink in India.. at Shimla...



And on our way back on the Shimla Kalka Railway, he posed on the engine...



In the engine...



In the luggage van....



and, while the train stopped at a station, father and son found time to enjoy a swing too!!



And that is how we brought 2012 to a close and ushered in the new year, in the sleeper coach of a train bringing us back home! 

I can only hope 2013 brings us all the kind of joy and happiness we see on his face..... and loads of travel too!!! 
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  1. Vishal RathodJanuary 4, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    Enjoy, Beautiful Train , While going Shimla i will Travel with this train

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarJanuary 4, 2013 at 10:50 PM

      There are about 6 trains, Vishal... and some are much better than this one.

      Delete
  2. NishaJanuary 4, 2013 at 8:11 PM

    Have been reading about all your memory down the lane for the year 2012.

    Hope you have a wonderful travel filled year ahead.
    And say Hi to the little hero. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarJanuary 4, 2013 at 10:51 PM

      Thanks so much, Nisha! wish you too a grt travel filled year ahead!! and we really shd meet this year!

      Delete

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