Udayagiri, Odisha

Date: 27th Sep 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  9 AM to 5 PM.

Distance: 1525 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: Not Available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Ratnagiri and Lalitgiri.

Udayagiri is located around 90 Kms from Bhubaneshwar. The place is the largest Buddhist site in Odisha. Udayagiri along with Ratnagiri and Lalitgiri is called diamond triangle of Odisha. We reached the place around 9 AM and no one was around. The sites were far inside from the main gate and no directions were given. Luckily after some time the caretaker of the museum arrived and showed us around the place. The archaeological survey of India excavated these stupas, monasteries, statues and other monuments starting from 1958. There are four sites found of which three are at the bottom of the hill and one up.

The statues unearthed from the sites have been placed in a small museum.

The main brick stupa with the images of Buddha.

The statue of Buddha in the brick Stupa.

The beautifully carved entrance a room with statue of Buddha.

Udayagiri was called Madhavapura Mahavira in ancient times. The site dates back between 7th and 12th century AD.

The brick monastery.

The second monastery with stupas and statues of Buddha.

The shrine complex.

The rooms in the monastery.

The sites are scattered and needs a good amount of walking.

Stone stepped well.

We were here.

The biggest Buddhist complex with the lush green mountain in the backdrop is an amazing place to visit. 

Statues of India 4: Chakhi Khuntia, Bhubaneswar

Chakhi Khuntia, Bhubaneswar

Also read about few other Statues of India.

Chandan Hajuri known as Chakhi Khuntia is a famous freedom fighter from Odisha. He was born of 20th January 1827. He was also a poet and Puri Jagannath temple priest. He traveled allover India and has good contact with the Sepoy of north india. He assisted Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi in her revolt against the British authorities. He played a crucial role in stirring up anger in Indian soldiers and organised a rebellion against the British. He was arrested in Gaya and all his properties were confiscated by the east India company. He was released in 1858 and returned to puri. Chakhi Khuntia spent his later years in puri and mostly dedicated his time in composing devotional songs on Lord Jagannath. 

Parasurameswar Temple, Bhubaneswar

Date: 26th Sep 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  Sunrise to Sunset.

Distance: 1450 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: Not Available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Rajarani Temple and Mukteshvara Temple.

Parasurameswar temple is one of the oldest temple in Bhubaneswar. The temple was built by the shailodbhava rulers who ruled parts of odisha between 7th and 8th century. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Lord shiva gave darshan to Parasuram, an avatar of Lord Vishnu for his penance and thus the name Parasurameswar. The temples built before parasurameswar had only the vimana. This temple was the first to have jagamohana. The hall is rectangular in shape with flat roof. The sahasralinga present in the temple has 1008 lingas on itself. The image of goddesses durga in form of mahishamardini is depicted on the tower of the temple. The temple is the first to have the images of the saptamatrikas, group of seven mothers. Except for the roof of the jagamohana the exterior of the temple is carved elaborately. Like many other temples in the city the interiors lack workmanship.

Few pics from the temple.

The temple will never fail to mesmerize the visitors, especially the sculptures on the walls of Jagamohana.

Mukteshvara Temple, Bhubaneswar

Date: 26th Sep 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  Sunrise to Sunset.

Distance: 1450 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: Not Available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Rajarani Temple and Parasurameswar Temple.

Muktehsvara temple built in 10 century AD is considered as the gem of Odisha architecture. The temple is small compared to other temples of Bhubaneswar. Dedicated to Lord Shiva this temple is built somewhere around year 950 AD. It is believed to be built by the rulers of Somavamsi dynasty who ruled parts of odisha between 9th and 12th century. The temple marks the transition of odisha style of architecture to the standard form. The temple consists of vimana and jagamohana, the assembly hall. The important feature in the temple is the arched gateway called torana which has elaborate carvings. The west facing temple is built below the ground level compared to other temples in the complex.

The pyramidal shaped Jagamohana is extensively carved with various images.

The designs on the ceiling of the temple.

The sanctum with the Shiva linga.

Diamond shaped latticed windows.

Extensive relief work on the outer walls.

The full view of the temple within the octagonal compound wall. The arched torana is unique to this temple.

The minor shrines are dedicated to lord Vishnu, Saraswathi and Ganesha.

Closer view of the arched torana which is not present in any other temple. The smiling women in lying pose was attractive among all other carvings.

View of smaller shrines facing Mukteshvara.

Kirthimukha motif on the shikhara.

Side view of the temple.

We were here.

The elegant looking temple with siddeshwara and parasurameswara temple is a major tourist attraction in Bhubaneswar.

Rajarani Temple, Bhubaneswar

Date: 26th Sep 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: Rs 15 per Adult.

Timing:  Sunrise to Sunset.

Distance: 1450 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: Not Available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Muktesvara Temple and Parasurameswar Temple.

The Rajarani temple built around 11th century AD is one of the most beautiful temples in Bhubaneswar. There are no deity inside the temple and its believed to be dedicated to Lord Shiva based on the carvings around the walls. The temple consists of a vimana measuring 17.9m high and jagamohana. Jagamohana is built on a raised platform of three moldings with pyramidal roof. The temple was originally known as Indresvar temple. The temple is made of a type of sandstone known as Rajaraniya  and thus named Rajarani temple.

The temple is noted for its sculptural wealth. The vimana is well decorated while the jagamohana remains mostly plain.

The interior also devoid of workmanship.

The windows on both sides of the hall.

The tall slender nayikas on the walls of the sanctum depicts various moods and roles.

Marriage between Lord Shiva and Goddesses Parvathi is depicted on the walls of the temple.

Erotic figures are carved on the high relief.

The nayikas looking into the mirror, taking the anklet, playing with bird, holding tree, turning her back etc are depicted beautifully.

Rajarani temple is compared with laksmana temple of khajuraho for its sensual architecture. 

Few more views from the garden next to the temple.

We were here.

The exuberant temple is one of the top places to visit in Bhubaneswar.