Spinner batsmen like Yuvi, Virat, Raina are key players for sure. But there will always be a position for a specialist spinner in the team. And to be there as a specialist spinner in Team India, my only strategy is hardwork...
Spinner batsmen like Yuvi, Virat, Raina are key players for sure. But there will always be a position for a specialist spinner in the team. And to be there as a specialist spinner in Team India, my only strategy is hardwork...
Arka Kshetra, Sun Temple, Black Pagoda --- call it whatever you wish and visualize it in whatever form you can, it is the most marvelous representation of the architectural excellence of ancient Odisha. Placed among the seven wonders of the country, the Sun Temple at Konark is one of the most well renowned temples in India and is a World Heritage Site. Konark, a place situated at a distance of 60 kilometers from capital city Bhubaneswar is really a tourist’s heaven with its unique Sun Temple that takes the shape of a colossal chariot coupled with a beautiful and refreshing surrounding. Built by King Narasimhadeva in the thirteenth century AD, the monument is a beautiful combination of a majestic conception, dedicated design and architecture and the culture of the State. The temple takes the form of the chariot of Surya (Arka), the sun god, and is heavily decorated with stone carving. The entire complex was designed in the form of a huge chariot drawn by seven spirited horses on twelve pairs of exquisitely decorated wheels. The entrance is guarded by two giant lions, which are each shown crushing a war elephant. Each elephant in turn lies on top of a human body. The temple symbolizes the majestic stride of the Sun god. At the entrance of the temple is a Nata Mandir. This is where the temple dancers used to perform dances in homage to the Sun god. All around the temple, there are various floral and geometric patterns. The temple is now partly in ruins, and a collection of its sculptures is housed in the Sun Temple Museum, which is run by the Archaeological Survey of India. Eminent poet Rabindranath Tagore has truly remarked “Here the language of stone surpasses the language of man”. The most attractive part of the monument is its erotic sculptures. Constructed by a dedicated team of 1,200 architects, the temple is the reflection of the heritage of Odisha. Adding to the beauty of the monument is its beautiful surrounding. The pristine beach of Chandrabhaga, Ramachandi Temple, Beleswar, a Shaiva Shrine on the sea, Balighai, Sea Beach and Sea Turtle Research Centre, Kapileswar, Shaiva Shrine on desolate sand dunes, Kurum, excavated Buddhist site, Kakatpur, Shrine of Goddess Mangala on river Prachi—all make this place a real pleasure for every tourist.
Puri, popularly known as Land of Lord Jagannath, it is the place for which Odisha is known among the tourists across the globe. It is mentioned in Puranas as Srikshetr Shankhakshetra, Neelachala, Neeladri, Purusottama Dhama, Purusottama Kshetra, Purusottama Puri and Jagannath Puri. It is one of the major pilgrim sites of India which showcases divinity, Odisha’s architecture and Odia culture. The Jagannath Temple in Puri is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Jagannath (Krishna) and located in the coastal town of Puri in the state of Orissa, India. The name Jagannath (Lord of the Universe) is a combination of the Sanskrit words Jagat (Universe) and Nath (Lord of). The temple is an important pilgrimage destination for many Hindu traditions, particularly worshippers of Krishna and Vishnu, and part of the Char Dham pilgrimages that a Hindu has to be visited in one's lifetime.The Temple of Lord Jagannath built during the 12th century A.D. by Chodaganga Deva dominates the landscape for kilometers around. Being the tallest temple (65 metres) in Orissa, it is one of the most magnificent pieces of monuments of India. In front of the main gate stands a 16 sided monolithic pillar (11 metres high), called Aruna Stambha which formally stood in front of the Sun Temple and was brought to Puri during the 18th century A.D. Some of the other important temples are Gundicha, Lokanath, Sunaragauranga, Daria Mahabir and Tota Gopinatt. There are also a number of holy tanks like Narendra, Markandeya, Sweta Ganga and Indradyumna. There are many Monasteries locally known as Mathas also of tourist interest.
The temple is famous for its annual Rath Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three main temple deities are hauled on huge and elaborately decorated chariots. Since medieval times, it is also associated with intense religious fervour. The temple is sacred to the Vaishnava traditions and saint Ramananda who was closely associated with the temple. It is also of particular significance to the followers of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism whose founder, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, was attracted to the deity, Jagannath, and lived in Puri for many years.Puri is one of the fascinating littoral district of Odisha .The Cultural heritage of Puri with its long recorded history beginning from third century B.C till present day, The monuments and religious sanctity, way of life of the people with their rich tradition possess emphatically to be the cultural heart of Odisha .In deed Puri is consider cultural capital of Odisha .The culture here is flourished with its manifold activities.The region is famous for the Banda Temple. Dedicated to the infamous Banda of Rourkela, it spans a large area.The District has the happy conglomerate of different religions,sects and faith in course of history, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh,jains, Christian and tribals found here in the District. The Hindu monuments of various sectors like saivism, Bishnavism, Sak ticult, Ganapatya,Mohabir etc are found. Similarly Muslim Mosques, Christian Churches are also noticed here.
Chilka Lake - Asia's largest brackish water lagoon, is being described as the “Queen of natural beauty” and it truly epitomizes the beautiful line “A thing of beauty is joy for ever.” While you walk along the side of the Lake, you witness a number of beautiful islands and flamingoes, which reflect the nature’s surprising transformation to a beautiful landscape. Spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Orissa state on the east coast of India, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, this Lake covers an area of over 1,100 sq. km. It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent. The lake is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals. The lake is an ecosystem with large fishery resources. It sustains more than 150,000 fisher–folk living in 132 villages on the shore and islands. The lagoon hosts over 160 species of birds in the peak migratory season. Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas come here. These birds travel great distances, but it must be stressed, that the migratory birds probably follow much longer routes than the straight lines, possibly up to 12,000 km, to reach Chilika River. In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Places of tourist interest in Chilika: Kalijai Island, Honeymoon Island, Breakfast Island, Birds Island, Nalabana (Island of Reeds), Parikud Island, etc. are some of the important and interesting spots inside the lake.
The Island of Kalijai is famous as a center of religious worship due to the temple of Goddess Kalijai where a big fair is held on the occasion of Makara Sankranti that falls in January every year. The Island of Nalabana, 8 km in circumference occupies a unique place in the vast expanse of Chilika Lake as it happens to be the central point for the migratory birds. One can view the dolphins at Chilika mouth near Satpara.
Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves are one of the many rock cut wonders of Orissa. Making an excellent excursion from Bhubaneswar, Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are a must visit for all enthusiastic travelers as the caves are famous for beautiful rockcut sculptures, wall paintings, carvings belonging to 2nd century BC. The twin hills of Khandagiri & Udayagiri, 8 km from Bhubaneswar, served as the site of an ancient Jain monastery which was carved into cave like chambers in the face of the hill. These caves, with artistic carvings date back to the 2nd century BC. Of particular note of their artistic carvings are the Rani Gumpha (Queen's Cave) and the Hati Gumpha (Elephant Cave). The Hati Gumpha has carved chronicles of King Kharavela's reign.
Dhauli, the site of the kalinga war in 261 B.C. which witnessed the great transformation of Ashok and the revitalization of Buddhism. To spread the message of peace and non-violence, Ashok engraved a set of rock-edicts throughout India, one of which is at Dhauli, situated about 8km away from the state capital Bhubaneswar in the district Khurda. The edicts in Brahmi script and Pali language pronounce Ashok’s reverence to all sects and tolerance to all practices. On the outskirts of modern Bhubaneswar, Dhauli emerges from placid green countryside amidst a tranquil setting of paddy field. The peace pagoda, popularily known as the Viswa santi stupa,built in 1972 by the Kalinga Nippon Buddha sangha, is the main attraction of Dhauli. The forepart of an elephant lown out of the live-rock,above the inscription, is the rock-cut sculpture in India and also attracts the attention of the visitors. The Dhavaleswar siva temple renovated in the year 1972 in close proximity to the Shanti Stupa reaffirms the sacredness of the site.The hilltop of Dhauli provides a panoramic view of the temple-city Bhubaneswar.
Lingaraj Temple is a temple of the Hindu God Shiva and is one of the oldest temples of the Temple City Bhubaneswar, a revered pilgrimage center and the capital of the state of Orissa. The Lingaraj temple - the largest of these is an outstanding specimen of the Orissa style of temple building. It is about a thousand years old. The Lingaraja temple is said to have been built first by the ruler Yayati Kesari in the 7th century who shifted his capital from Jaipur to Bhubaneshwar. Bhubaneshwar remained as the Kesari capital, till Nripati Kesari founded Cuttck in the 10th century. Inscriptions from the period of the Kalinga King Anangabhima III from the 13th century are seen here.
Mukteshwar Temple, one of the most prominent temples of Bhubaneswar, has been constructed in the style that is quite similar to the one used in the Kalinga School of Temple Architecture. The splendid Torana of the temple, an ornamental arched gateway, is very much reminiscent of the influence of Buddhism in Orissa. Established in the year 950 AD, Mukteswar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Its major highlights consist of the exquisite carvings that depict ascetics in different meditative pose.
Rajarani temple is one of the most renowned temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Orissa. It is made from the wonderful red and gold sandstone, which is locally known as Rajarani and this is what gives the temple its name of ‘Raja Rani’. The major attractions of the temple consist of the elaborately carved figurines. Rajarani temple of Bhubaneshwar is dedicated to Lord Brahma. The origin of this temple can be dated back to the eleventh century.
Bhubaneswar, IN
