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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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Vendors at Chamundi Hills

Every temple has vendors outside, selling flowers and coconuts....





Outside the temple on Chamundi Hills, there were a few more, selling items made of stone and wood...



The wooden articles were common ones, but these stone figures were beautiful!



And yes, for once, I did succumb to the temptation, and bought some too!

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Location: Chamundi Temple, Mysore, Vijay Nagar, Karnataka 570010, India

Comments

  1. IndraniSeptember 19, 2013 at 11:33 AM

    I always end up buying something or other even if I don't need them . :)
    Great shots!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarSeptember 19, 2013 at 12:03 PM

      Much as I am tempted, Indrani, I usually hold myself back from buying stuff thanks to lack of space, but this time i just couldnt resist those cute little elephants and the beautiful lamp!

      Delete
  2. MridulaSeptember 19, 2013 at 2:41 PM

    I usually don't buy stuff but it is good to indulge sometimes I guess?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarSeptember 22, 2013 at 9:27 AM

      Yes, Mridula. I dont usually buy much, but these were just too beautiful! plus,we are always on the lookout for stuff from across the country to keep for our annual navaratri golu. these were perfect!

      Delete

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