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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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Skywatch Friday - Akshi Beach, Alibag

Every week, as Friday approaches and I go hunting for an image to post as part of Skywatch Friday, I lose myself among all the images I have clicked.... re-live the memories of all those trips... and wish I was there again!





Today's image is from the Akshi Beach at Alibag.... clicked on an impulsive trip with my cousins. I have loads of photos of the beach, of the trees, of the water... but this is among my favourites. It was early in the morning and we were waiting for the sun to rise. And these were people already at work... ferrying the water scooters for the adventure sports... to the next beach....



It has been almost two months since the year began, and I have been stuck at home. Two months without travel is a long period for me, but we are governed by school, not our desire to travel alone. As I post these pics, I hope the opportunity for travel comes again... soon!

Meanwhile, here are some of my posts about Alibag


You can brighten up your day with more wonderful images on the Skywatch Friday page

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Comments

  1. JimFebruary 22, 2013 at 9:39 AM

    Quite interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  2. R Niranjan DasFebruary 22, 2013 at 9:51 AM

    Interesting click!

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.in

    ReplyDelete
  3. NatureStopFebruary 22, 2013 at 9:52 AM

    Nice shots!
    Have a great day!

    Shantana

    ReplyDelete
  4. Meghana HassanFebruary 22, 2013 at 10:18 AM

    Nice pics Anu...

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2013 at 10:27 AM

    Looks lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  6. MridulaFebruary 22, 2013 at 10:29 AM

    Amen to that Anu for both of us.

    Beautiful pictures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarFebruary 22, 2013 at 11:45 AM

      Thanks Mridula!!! Hope your airline woes end soon and u get to travel once more!

      Delete
  7. lina@women's perspectivesFebruary 22, 2013 at 10:40 AM

    Great find and shot!
    Happy Friday :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Photo CacheFebruary 22, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    very nice. hope you find more travel soon.

    ReplyDelete
  9. SoulSpaceFebruary 22, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    Lovely shot Anu

    It appears that when you are not travelling you are journeying through your pictures!!

    Heres to great travel stories from you this year too

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarFebruary 22, 2013 at 11:54 AM

      Thanks Sowmya!I am always journeying thru my pictures.. which is why work never gets done at home!!! hope i can write more this year though!

      Delete
  10. Anuradha ShankarFebruary 22, 2013 at 11:41 AM

    Thanks Indrani!

    ReplyDelete
  11. desi TravelerFebruary 22, 2013 at 12:20 PM

    The Scooters look like a little train on the beach... good capture

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarFebruary 22, 2013 at 2:42 PM

      Thanks, Desi Traveler!! it does look a little like a train!

      Delete
  12. Jidhu JoseFebruary 22, 2013 at 2:06 PM

    nice clicks
    happy Skywatch Friday

    ReplyDelete
  13. HansHBFebruary 22, 2013 at 2:56 PM

    Great serie of photos!
    Happy SWF to you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Pearl MapleFebruary 22, 2013 at 3:56 PM

    happy travels have fun finding new photo opportunities

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownFebruary 22, 2013 at 4:48 PM

    Lovely place to be, the kids will love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarFebruary 23, 2013 at 8:01 PM

      Its indeed a lovely place for kids, Shalu! and for us adults too.. the best place to relax!

      Delete
  16. P.N. SubramanianFebruary 23, 2013 at 12:03 PM

    Good ones. Alibaug is an interesting place too.

    ReplyDelete

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