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...
Here’s another installment of the Ganeshotsav celebrations in Bombay. Yes, there has been quite a long gap, and sheer laziness has been the cause… just didn’t feel like going out, you see… However , yesterday, I felt a sudden bout of energy and decided to go along with my sister to Crawford market in search for a few things for Navaratri… thinking ahead, you see… and then we saw these beautiful Ganeshas there, so I found something to write about today…. The first Ganesha was right at the entrance to the crowded lanes known for their wholesale shops selling every kind of goods under the sun, located (of all places) in the parking lot! Take a look…. The Ganesha looks great , doesn’t he, but what’s more impressive is that the idol is 15 feet tall ! Surely the tallest Ganesha I have seen this year….. (of course, there are others even taller, but I haven’t seen them yet!!!) Just outside was this small, but beautiful idol….. As we wound our way among the crowded lanes,...