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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...
2 comments

Skywatch Friday: Abbey Falls

Located in the heart of Coorg, the Abbey falls are on every tourist's itinerary. In the monsoon and the months following, the water cascades 21 m in a rush, drenching the surroundings with its spray, and rendering the whole area slippery and dangerous. In the summer, however, we see a far tamer version....




It is the local stream, called the Mutharmuttu, which cascades down this rocky gorge, forming this gorgeous waterfall. The name, however, comes from the Kodava word for waterfall - abbe. 



Interestingly, the British called these falls, Jessy Falls, in memory of the daughter of Madikeri's first chaplain, or so says the board here. The board also cautions visitors against trying to bathe in the falls, as the boulders are slippery, but a few deaths each year don't seem to keep enthusiasts at bay yet. 



A conveniently constructed bridge across the stream provides the perfect camera angle for eager visitors, and as far as I could see, even the searing summer sun and lack of water didn't seem to discourage tourists. 

For more beautiful images from across the world, visit the Skywatch Page. 
Labels:
Location: Abbi Falls, Hebbettageri, KA 571201, India

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 29, 2013 at 3:57 PM

    Its Nice. I too visted this place.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarDecember 1, 2013 at 8:02 AM

      Thank you. I guess everyone who visits coorg visits the falls :D

      Delete
  2. Valladolid Daily PhotoNovember 29, 2013 at 5:01 PM

    Great contribution to the theme day. Enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. R Niranjan DasNovember 29, 2013 at 7:11 PM

    Nice captures of Abbey falls.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarDecember 1, 2013 at 8:03 AM

      Thank you, Niranjan! I am sure you would have seen the falls in better form than that!

      Delete
  4. UnknownNovember 30, 2013 at 12:51 AM

    Pictures are very beautiful,

    Please tell me more about this Skywatch and if we can link our blog there

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousNovember 30, 2013 at 12:13 PM

    Lovely shots of the falls.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Pune DiariesNovember 30, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    Hey your blog is an interesting read! Check out our blog punediaries.com-for all the talking and listening taking place in the city of Pune! -

    ReplyDelete

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