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Odisha Part 7: The Rajarani Temple, Bhubaneshwar

The Rajarani Temple in Bhubaneshwar gets its name from the stone used to build it - the red and yellow sandstone used here is locally called Rajarani. This temple was once known as the Indreshwara temple, which is mentioned in the Ekamra Purana, which tells us about the temples of Bhubaneshwar, which was then known as Ekamra Kshetra. Today, the temple stands in a well-maintained lawn, and is the only ticketed monument within the city. The temple is built in the typical Kalinga style, with the tall curvilinear shikara over the garbagruha , and a jagamohana connected to it. The temple is believed to date back to the 11 th century, and is most well known for its sculptures. The entrance to the temple has two pillars with a Naga couple protecting the sanctum, holding garlands in their hands. The base of the pillar shows 3 lions standing over 3 elephants, a typical motif in temples of this region during this period. On the other side of the pillar is a horse and rider, and the two mo...
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Events in Mumbai this week and the next

It's a busy, busy time for me. There is so much to do at home, and there are so many events I want to attend as well. I don't know if I am going to be able to manage all, but here is a list if you are interested....



The Earth Mela is on,, and today is the last day. The venue, as usual, is the Maharashtra Nature Park, and there are plenty of workshops and talks happening. Check the schedule here. And if you are there, do drop into the photo gallery, where some of my photographs will be on display - for the very first time!!! And, since I am not too sure if you can make it, please do click photos for me!



If you like books, head over to the Bandra Kurla Complex, for the NBT Book Fair. The fair started on the 29th and is on till the 3rd of December, from 11 AM to 8 PM. So, hurry, go immerse yourself in books!

Next week, there are more interesting things happening.



First, there is the Junior Writers Bug, this time happening at Maharashtra Nature Park over the weekend. There is lots and lots in store, so go, take your kids and have a fab time! Check the schedule here and register before you go.



On the 7th of December, my sister performs along with her friends in Sannimitam - a special celebration of 15 years of their Dance school - The Sanskriti Academy of Fine Arts. If you happen to live in and around Thane, and are interested in Bharatanatyam, do drop in!




Meanwhile, the Mumbai Museum, or the Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sangrahalaya, to give it its right name, has brought in Flemish masterpieces from Antwerp - paintings and engravings from the 17th century. The exhibition is on till 9th Feb, so you have lots of time to plan a visit. If you go on weekends, there are special programmes for kids. Yesterday, for example, they had a puppet show. Its a fantastic experience, one that even Samhith enjoyed, so go, take your kids too. 

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  1. UshaDecember 4, 2013 at 1:39 PM

    How I wish I was in Mumbai! No wonder I dreamt of Samhith and Shankar goofing around in the colony park. Can't imagine Shankar goofing but I suppose the dream was from a residual memory of Shankar's attempts at teaching cycling to Samhith.

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    1. Anuradha ShankarDecember 4, 2013 at 2:48 PM

      yes, Usha, I wish you were in Mumbai too.. would have to loved to have you along for all these! and u must be developing some kind of esp, because samhith has started driving a cycle again. just got him a new one and he is participating in a cyclothon sometime next week :D of course, shankar doesnt go along anymore.

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