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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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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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