Bhubaneshwar is often called the city of temples . It is impossible to know exactly how many temples there are, but it has been estimated that there might be over 700 temples in the city. This number, while impressive, is just a fraction of the original number, which, sometime in the 13 th century, would have been about 7000. Wikipedia has a page dedicated to the Hindu temples of Bhubaneshwar , where 93 temples are listed. All these are ancient temples, built between the 7 th and 13 th centuries CE. Bhubaneshwar was once known as Ekamra Kshetra , the sacred mango grove. We know this name from an inscription at the Ananta Vasudeva temple, which mentions the name of the place, and the main temple (that we now know as the Lingaraja temple) in the mango grove. Ananta Vasudeva Temple, with a sculpture of Trivikrama in the niche It is extremely interesting to note that the Ananta Vasudeva temple is the only temple to Lord Vishnu in this city. Varaha, Ananta Vasudeva Temple Located v...
The rains are here, but it still doesn't seem the same . It rains, but in a desultory way, as if it's heart isn't in it. More of concern is the fact that there has been very little rain in the catchment areas, which means that we are looking at a major water problem. It has already been announced that the water cut is being taken further, so we shall get water just once in two days from now on! On a personal note , Samhith is upset that the snails haven't appeared yet. We spend our few minutes waiting for his bus looking for snails and earthworms, but haven't seen one yet. Meanwhile, as we wait for the snails and the creatures of the rain, here are the birds and other members of our extended family whom we have been noticing from our window - Red-Vented bulbuls - there are plenty of them around, and they regularly come to eat the food we put out for the crows (a tradition which symbolises providing food for our ancestors). But I have never been able to take ...