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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...

Book Review: The Seeds of War, by Ashok Banker

The Mahabharata is technically an epic, composed by the sage Vyasa. However, in reality, it is so much more.

Book Review - Slayer of Kamsa

Anyone who knows me knows that there is no gift dearer to me than a book! And when I get a signed copy of a newly released book from the author himself, it becomes the best possible gift ever! When I commented as usual on Ashok Banker’s blog, I didn’t even think of the contest he had running, and winning a copy of his latest book - Slayer of Kamsa - Book 1 of the Krishna Coriolis -  was just too thrilling for words. It arrived just after Diwali, and was the first thing I laid eyes on when I returned from my Diwali holidays, and it really made my day! I hadn’t even heard of Ashok Banker till I stumbled upon his Ramayana series . I rented the first book in the series from Librarywala , wondering what it would be like. I was hooked from the first page, and just couldn’t keep it down! In fact, I remember that of the six books in the series, I managed to rent five from the library, but the sixth wasn’t available, so I placed a request for the book. However, I was unable to...