Nandankanan Zoo, Bhubaneshwar

Date: 28th Sep 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: See image below.

Timing:  See image below.

Distance: 1450 Kms one way.

Parking: Available.

Food: Available.

Photography:  Allowed.

Other attractions nearby:

Nandankanan zoo established in 1960 and is home to 166 species of animals. The zoo has the largest collection of white tigers in India. The zoo also has a safari which takes the bus through the park adjacent to the zoo. The animals in the park are kept in wide enclosure. The zoo is big and it requires quiet a bit of walking. We shared battery operated vehicle with another family and went around in it. We were excited to see the board of few animals which we have not seen before but they were all empty and it was disappointing.

Also see: Bannerghatta zoo, Mysore Zoo, Hyderabad Zoo.

Few pics from the zoo.

The zoo can be avoided if one has already visited other zoo. The white tigers could have been an attraction once up on a time but they are found in many other zoo's now.

Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneshwar

Date: 28th Sep 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Non Hindus not allowed.

Distance: 1440 Kms one way.

Parking: Available.

Food: Small snacks available.

Photography:  Not Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Yameshwara Temple, Bakresvara Temple.

Lingaraj Temple is the oldest, grandest and biggest temple in bhubaneshwar. The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. Photography is strictly prohibited and the high walls prevent clicking any good pictures of the temple. The temple is located close to bindhu sagar lake in old town. The temple is believed to be built during the rule of Yayati Kesari, Ananta kesari and Lalatendu kesari in 7th century AD. The temple consist of Deul, Jagamohana, nata mandira and bhoga mandira. The later two were added during ganga dynasty rule.
Legend has it that lord shiva said to Parvathi that he prefers ekamra thirtha over benaras. Parvathi visits the place like a cowherd women. She kills two demons who wishes to marry her. Lord shiva created bindhu sagar to quench her thirst and took abode as lingaraj here.

The complex houses 50+ other smaller shrines. The deity is carried to rameshwar temple during the ratha yatra every year.

The linga in the temple is formed naturally called swayambhu linga. Some vaishnavaite features are added to the temple during the ganga dynasty.

The temple is a fine example of kalinga architecture. The majestic temple is a must visit temple in bhubaneshwar. 

Yameshwar Temple, Bhubaneswar

Date: 28th Sep 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  None mentioned. Best bet 9 AM to 5 PM.

Distance: 1440 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: Small snacks available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Lingaraj Temple, Bakresvara Temple.

Yameshwar temple located opposite to Bakreswar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Its one of the bigger temples in Bhubaneshwar. The temple consist of a Vimana, Jagamohana and a Mantapa. The temple was built during eastern ganga dynasty in 13th century AD. The temple is built of sandstone and laterite stones.

Some parts of the temple is damaged and restoration work is underway.

The temple is one of the few temples where the pooja is still performed.

Linga containing many lingas around it.

Shivaratri and karthik poornima are some of the festival celebrated in the temple.

Some beautiful carvings on the outer walls of the garbagriha.

Few smaller shrines in the complex.

Not much information is available about the temple. The beautiful temple is one of the places to visit in bhubaneshwar.

Bakresvara Temple, Bhubhaneswar

Date: 28th Sep 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  None mentioned. Best bet 9 AM to 5 PM.

Distance: 1440 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: Small snacks available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Lingaraj Temple, Yameswara Temple.

Bakresvara temple is located among many other temples around Bindu Sagar. There was no deity  inside the temple. The sanctum was closed and we went around the temple and came back. The temple is located opposite to Yameswara temple. The temple is not well maintained.

The walls also lack any sculptures.

The temple has a vimana and Jaganmohana and is much smaller compared to the Yameswara temple.

Tthe temple doesn't offer anything of architectural beauty and also no deity in the sanctum makes the tourist skip the place.

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, Bhubaneswar

Date: 28th Sep 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: Rs 15 per adult.

Timing:  Sunrise to Sunset.

Distance: 1440 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: Small snacks available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Nandakanan Zoo.

The hills located in the bhubaneshwar city is one of the important religious site. The twin hills are home for numerous rock cut caves. The traditional names of the dual hills of Udayagiri and Khandagiri are Kumari and Kumara parvatas. There are totally thirty three rock cut caves on both the hills. 18 caves are found on Udayagiri hill and 15 on the Khandagiri hill. Some of the noteworthy caves in udayagiri are Cave 1 or Rani Gumpha,  Cave 2 or chotta hathi gumpha, Cave 4 or Alakapuri gumpha, Cave 5 or Jaya Vijaya gumpha, Cave 9 or Manchpuri and Svargapuri gumpha, Cave 10 or Ganesha gumpha, Cave 12 or Bagha gumpha, Cave 14 or Hathi gumpha. Some of the caves of Khandagiri are Cave 1 and 2 or Tatwa gumpha, Cave 3 or Ananta gumpha, Cave 7 or Navamuni gumpha and Cave 8 or Barabhuji gumpha.

Most caves are single storied but some of them are double storied.  Based on the inscriptions found these caves were excavated by King Kharavela of mahameghavahana dynasty.

Parsvanatha temple on the top of the Khandagiri hill was constructed in 19th century and is still worshiped.

The peak of Khandagiri on which the temple stands, is 37.5 m high, 3.96 m higher than Udayagiri.

The largest of all caves, Ranigumpha and Swargapuri-Manchapuri caves are double storied.

Ranigumpha also called as the queen’s palace is architecturally superior of all the caves.

The Hathi gumpha or elephant cave is famous for the inscriptions of king Kharavela engraved on the brow.

The inscription records the expeditions of king Kharavela including victory of Magadha and retrieval of Jain image taken by the Nanda king.

Rani Gumpha the largest and most popular cave among the caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri has some ancient beautiful sculptures.

The Manchpuri and Svargapuri caves are two storied with inscription stating the cave dedicated by the Queen of King Kharvela.

The Bagha gumpha cave or cave 12 has the opening carved like a tigers head.

The inscriptions in elephant cave is written in brahmi script and consist of 17 lines.

We were here.

One of the top tourist attraction in Bhubaneswar that needs to be visited.

Lakhesvara Temple, Bhubaneswar

Date: 27th Sep 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  None mentioned. 9 AM to 6 PM best time.

Distance: 1445 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: Snacks available nearby.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Papanasi Temple, Lingaraj Temple and many more temples around Bindu Sagar.

Lakhesvara temple located on Ganga Jamuna road opposite to Ganga Jamuna temple in Bhubaneswar. The temple was built during the rule of ganga dynasty in 13th century AD. There was not much information available about the temple. There were few people playing carrom in a small room inside the temple complex. We did not know the name of the temple and asked them and they too were clueless. The same happened in another temple behind papanasini temple. Localities doesn't seem to know about the lesser known temples in Bhubaneswar.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

It is believed that the Linga is rescued from Lanka when Lanka was burning in fire before the war.

View of vimana.

Nothing unique about the temple history or architecture but can be visited along with Lingaraj and Ganga-Jamuna temple.

Vaital Temple and Sisiresvara Temple, Bhubaneswar

Date: 27th Sep 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  None mentioned. 9 AM to 6 PM best time.

Distance: 1445 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: Snacks available nearby.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Papanasi Temple, Lingaraj Temple and many more temples around Bindu Sagar.

Vaital temple is located near Bindu sagar lake on Rath road in Bhubaneswar. The temple complex is below the ground level and surrounded by many houses. Temple though very small in size has a unique semi cylindrical shaped tower which is not seen in other temple. The three kalasa on top of the tower gives the temple the name teeni mundia deula. The Jagamohana is rectangular in shape with many sculptures on the outer wall. This temple is dedicated to Goddesses Shakti also called Chamunda. The sisiresvara temple in the same complex is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The walls are mainly decorated with images of Lord Shiva and Goddesses Shakthi in various forms.

The Sisiresvara temple next to this is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The top part of the tower was destroyed.

The temple is richly decorated with images of Lord Ganesha, Karthikeya and Mahisamardini.

Many images of martikas and few erotic sculptures adorn the tower of the temple.

The smaller frames on tower depicts a war field with soldiers and many elephants engaged in a battle.

There are many other images of ten armed Nataraja, Sun god, Mahisamardini killing the demon, eight armed chamunda and many more.

The unique and highly ornate temple is one of the many temples around Bindu sagar that should be visited.

Statues of India 5: Madhusudan Das, Bhubaneswar

Madhusudan Das, Bhubaneswar

Also read about few other Statues of India.

Madhusudan Das popularly known as Utkal Gourav, was born on April 28, 1848 in the village of Satyabhamapur, 20 km away from Cuttack, Odisha. He was a poet and freedom fighter. 

He has many first to his name like, first Odia graduate, first Odia to have B.L and M.A degrees, first Odia advocate, first Odia to become a member of the Central Legislative Assembly of India and first Odia to travel abroad. 28 April every year is celebrated as lawyers day in Odisha. 

He founded Utkal Sammilani, an organisation which main objective was to unify the state of Odisha. Utkal Sammilani founded by Madhusudan Das fought for three decades to form a separate state for Odisha. Finally the Odisha state was established on 1st April 1936 and the day was observed as Utkala Dibasa/Odisha Dibasa or Odisha Day. 

He died at the age of 85, on February 04, 1934. 

Ratnagiri, Odisha

Date: 27th Sep 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: Rs 15 per adult.

Timing:  9 AM to 5 PM for museum. Closed on Friday. Excavated site: Sunrise to Sunset.

Distance: 1535 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: couple of small shops selling snacks.

Photography: Allowed at excavated site and prohibited in the museum.

Other attractions nearby: Udayagiri and Lalitgiri.

We reached Ratnagiri around 10:45 AM after visiting Udayagiri. The Buddhist remains were excavated by ASI between 1958 and 1961. The site is located on a small hillock. The excavation bought out monasteries, stupas, shrines, votive stupa and many other antique sculptures. The establishment dates somewhere between 5th and 13th century AD. The place was identified as Ratnagiri based on the clay sealing bearing the name 'Sri Ratnagiri Mahavihariya Arya Bhikshu Sanghasa'.

The large brick stupa called mahastupa is located on the highest point of the hill.

Two large monasteries were found lying side by side facing the Mahastupa.

The ornate doorway is carved in various images and image of gajalakshmi on the lintel.

Second monastery made of bricks houses an image of Buddha.

There is also a isolated single wing monastery near the museum.

More than dozen of Buddha head of varying sizes also excavated from the site.

Many stone and bronze images of Buddha, Tara, Lokesvara, Vajrapani, Aparajita, Heruka and Hariti etc are kept in the museum.

A large number of votive stupas were also found on the hill.

Few more pics from the site.

It started raining heavily by the time we finished exploring Ratnagiri and had to skip Lalitgiri.