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Odisha Part 6: The Yogini Temple of Hirapur

I fell in love with this temple the first time I set eyes on it. Back in 2017 , I had been excited to see yet another Yogini temple, when I visited Puri. The resort I was staying at (and writing for), had arranged for a car and driver to take me around. The driver was happy to take me to most of the places I wanted to go, but when it came to Hirapur, he was appalled. He knew of the temple, but had never been there. It was a tantric temple, one not visited by women, and certainly not women travelling alone. He tried to convince me not to go, but my stubbornness and persistence paid off, and he reluctantly agreed when I told him that if he didn’t take me, I would find another driver who would. All along the way, he kept going on about the sinister things that happened at the temple, the tantric rituals that were performed at night…. An Odisha brahmin who took his religious duties very seriously, to the extent of stopping the car to perform the sandhyavandam when he deemed it time, he...
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Breaking the travel jinx

Cooped up at home for over 3 months, we were in dire need of a short break. Which is why, we made use of the Holi and Good Friday holidays to escape from the city. Our destination - one which has eluded us for years, which we have booked tickets to, twice, and had to cancel both times. We hoped to get, as they say, 'third time lucky', and we did, heading out to Coorg for a too-short vacation, just to break the jinx!




I have been back for two days, and the time has been spent recuperating from the trip - mountains of clothes to be washed, house to be cleaned, chores to be done...... and I haven't even been able to update my blog till now. Yet, amidst all this chaos is a peace which comes from the fact that I did manage to get out, for however short a trip.... This will probably last me for a few more days, till the travel pangs begin anew! Meanwhile, I am re-living the wonderful experiences we had.... of Samhith swimming in the Kaveri at Bhagamandala.....


Enjoying the thrill of adventure at Club Mahindra, Coorg....


Playing with the elephants at Dubare...



And, for me, the sheer beauty of the mountains, and the pleasure of seeing birds where least expected...


The trip was a short one, but I have loads to share.... Now, if only I could take a second break from the chores.... just to sit down and write! 

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Location: Madikeri, Karnataka 571201, India

Comments

  1. MridulaApril 3, 2013 at 9:37 AM

    I know so many things wait for you once you get back. But good to see that you and Samhaith enjoyed Coorg.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarApril 3, 2013 at 1:44 PM

      Thanks Mridula! its only the thought of future trips that keeps us going!

      Delete
  2. R Niranjan DasApril 3, 2013 at 4:17 PM

    Nice images. Am sure your tales would flow out soon.

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2013/04/ruralscapes-of-india.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. SoulSpaceApril 3, 2013 at 7:38 PM

    lovely snap there of S in the water...

    heres to more travel for you and soon:)

    ReplyDelete

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