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 ...
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,...