Stories from the Road and beyond...

The Archaeogical gallery of the Odisha State museum has some beautiful sculptures. This post is about my favourite sculptures from this museum.

The 3 Buddhist sites of Ratnagiri, Udaygiri and Lalitgiri are called the Diamond Triangle. These 3 sites are important for understanding the Buddhist heritage of Odisha, and Buddhism in general.

The Khandgiri and Udaygiri Caves near Bhubaneshwar show the presence of Jainism in Odisha since ancient times.

Bhubaneshwar is a city of temples. In this post, I talk about a few temples, and put them in context of the city and how it developed.

The Vaital temple is one of the oldest temples in Bubaneshwar, dedicated to the goddess Chamunda. There are some beautiful sculptures of various forms of Shiva, the goddess as well as Surya

The Parasurameshwara Temple at Bhubaneshwar is a fascinating temple built by the Pasupata sect. It has some amazing sculptures of various forms of Shiva and the goddess.

Rajarani Temple Bhubaneshwar has some of the most beautiful Ashtadikpala sculptures

The Yogini Temple at Hirapur is an unique temple to different forms of the goddesses

2 lesser known ancient goddess temples in Odisha near Konark - Varahi Temple and Gangeshwari Temple

Two visits to Chilika Lake and our birdwatching experiences on both trips - one in peak season and another in off season.

Many years back, when I visited the National Museum in Delhi, one of the images that I was most impressed by, was the Surya from Konark. I remember being rooted to the ground as I stood in front of the sculpture, admiring every detail, simply unable to walk away. There are various ideas of where the sculpture was placed in the temple, but wherever it was placed, there is no question that it would have drawn all eyes. I remember wondering back then, if this single sculpture wa

The Jagannath Temple at Puri, one of India's revered Char Dham pilgrimage sites, is far more than a destination—it is an experience. Through two visits spanning eight years, the author reflects on darshan, temple traditions, monsoon-soaked memories, and the profound realization of Lord Jagannath's beauty, discovered not within the crowded shrine itself but in the serene Jagannath Gallery of Odisha's Kalabhoomi Museum. A heartfelt account of faith, architecture, devotion, and

During a family trip to Odisha, the author sought experiences beyond conventional hotels and found them at Svanir, a charming homestay near Bhubaneswar. What began as a search for a peaceful retreat became the highlight of the entire journey. Through warm hospitality, home-cooked Odia cuisine, inspiring conversations, and an immersive introduction to Odisha’s crafts, textiles, and cultural heritage, Svanir proved to be much more than a place to stay. This heartfelt appreciati