Sunday 26 July 2015

Deokund Waterfall-Lake - Mayurbhanj - Odisha

                  Devkund (Debakunda / Deokund) (means "The bathtub of Gods and Goddesses") is a nice scenic spot in the district of Mayurbhanj, Odisha.
It is found at a distance of 60 km from Baripada and 85 km from Balasore in Odisha state.
This place is an important tourist attraction because of its waterfalls and natural beauty.

Google Map (From Bhubaneswar to Devkund):


One pic from the spot:



Please refer the below URLs for the detailed blog


Cheers
Ashish Kumar Nayak


Durga Puja 2014 - Bhubaneswar - Odisha

               To see how the art and craft gets intermingled with culture, please visit Bhubaneswar during the month of September-October because it is the time when Durga Puja is celebrated in a high fervour.




Please refer the below URL for the detailed blog

Cheers
Ashish Kumar Nayak


Saturday 25 July 2015

Satkosia gorge and nature camp


Some details about Satkosia from the Govt website: The Satkosia Gorge along the river Mahanadi, passes through Angul, Boudh, Cuttack and Nayagarh districts in central Orissa and is the natural habitat for the two endangered fresh water crocodilian species, the Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and Mugger (Crocodylus palustris). In order to protect the dwindling crocodile population, the Forest Department of the Government of Orissa with technical support from the UNDP and FAO decided to start a breeding programme of crocodiles during March 1974. As a part of this joint conservation initiative, the Gharial Research and Conservation Unit (GRACU) was started during March 1975. The GRACU had done pioneering work in crocodile conservation in India. The activities include Conservation Breeding; releasing of reared crocodiles into the wild and its rehabilitation had been some of the challenging activities carried out by the centre. Thereafter in 1976 due to the immense biodiversity values, the dense forest lands on both sides of the river Mahanadi along the gorge was declared as the Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary. Subsequently the two adjoining sanctuaries namely the Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipalli sanctuary were combinly and declared as Satkosia Tiger Reserve during December, 2007. Core area of the Tiger Reserve lies within Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary. The reserve is spread over 4 districts; Angul, Cuttack, Nayagarh and Boudh. The tiger reserve has an area of 964 sq km with 524 sq km as core area.
And we planned for a travel to Satkosia and to stay in the camp. So we 1st checked the Odisha govt website for Satkosia.  
Welcome To Satakosia

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The 2nd address tells about the Angul district wildlife division office. We called their contact number and they told about the details of the place and how much cost per person. It was Rs1000 per person and one tent to be shared by two.
Then we took a screenprint of the map and started from Bhubaneswar to Angul.

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It took around 3hrs. In Angul wildlife divisional office, we took the permission and booked the tent for the nature camp. Then we started towards the camp. It took 30mins to reach the spot.
Here are few pics of the camp.

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Here are few pics of the scenic beauty of Satkosia Gorge.

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Here are few pics of the crocodile sanctuary.

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One pic of the tortoise.

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BUT NO PIC of TIGER as it is getting extincted day by day. A time may come when no animal will be there and human-being will need to convert itself to animal to maintain the ecosystem .
Finally we started back to Bhubaneswar the next day after taking the last pic.

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Cheers
Ashish

Chausathi Jogini Temple at Hirapur Odisha

This will be helpful for them who would like to visit the archeological and ancient sculptures of India.
If you are at Bhubaneswar for one day, then you can visit the place which possess the ancient sculptures/monuments of 9th century. Or you can do both on the same day as the place is just 15km from Bhubaneswar.

Few details about the temple:
It was built during 9th century for occult practices, probably under the Bhauma rulers of Odisha. 
The queen of the village Hirapur(Hiradeipur) was "Hiradei".
The temple is in hypaethral (no roof) and circular structure with 64 joginis (yoginis) inside it.
Each Jogini represent a different character.
The Jogini cult as an offshoot of tantric practices in India took shape during the 9th -13th century .

I started my short travel after having Idly and Ghuguni (Alu Matar Curry) as homemade breakfast.









I took the below route to reach the temple.
Bhubaneswar station/airport -> Kalpana square -> Ravi talkies square -> Take left at Ravi talkies towards Kuakhai river -> Cross the river bridge and go right -> Within 2 to 3 minutes you can see a small bridge over the canal -> Go to left, cross the small bridge and that is Hirapur village.
 

Google map from Bhubaneswar to Chausathi Jogini Temple:
 
        Temple Google Map.jpg  


 On Kuakhai river bridge…





After crossing the bridge…





On the way to Hirapur…



Hirapur… which was a pure village sometime back, is getting converted to a township.





Scenic beauty near “Chausathi Jogini Temple”…





Odisha Tourism Centre near the temple…



At the entrance of “Chausathi Jogini Temple” campus…



The “Chausathi Jogini Temple”…



Not taken the pics inside as you can get it in youtube.

Jogini Cult was initiated in Indian subcontinent with the 64JoginiTemple at Hirapur,Khordha,Odisha &spread upto central,north,south India. There are other Jogini temples at Ranipur-Jharial(Balangir,Odisha), Bhedaghat, Shahdol, Badoh, Dudahi, Khajuraho, Rikhiyan, Lokhari, Mitauli, Naresar, Hinglajgadh and Kancheepuram.


Only at 5 places the temple structure survived, rest all destroyed and only few idols are found scattered.
1) 64 Jogini temple, Hirapur, Odisha[1st Jogini temple of India] (Temple structure was excavated in 1953AD and one Jogini idol is missing. Worship is going on with the broken idols.)

2) 64 Jogini temple, Ranipur-Jharial, Odisha  (Around 17 idols are missing)
3) Rectangular 64 Jogini temple, Khajuraho - Madhya Pradesh (No Jogini idol found. Getting ruined)
4) 81 Jogini temple, Bhedaghat - Madhya Pradesh (Many Jogini idols are not found and some niches are replaced with other Gods.)
5) Morena - Madhya Pradesh (No Jogini idol is there. Instead, Siva lingas are there.)

Jogini temples-1(Click here)





Jogini temples-2(Click here)





64JoginiTemple at Hirapur:
The outer circumference of this hypaethral temple is abt 90ft with projection of 4ft ength & 2ft6inches breadth. The entrance to the east connects d vestibule passage. There are 2 Dwarapala at d entrance & 9 Katayani on d niches of d outer wall. In d innner side the temple 60 joginis r there, 4 joginis & 4 bhairabas installed on the Chandi mandap pillars at d centre of d temple. 


Lets know the names and some details about the 64 Joginis present at Hirapur.


Jogini 1:Maya / Bahurupa / Chandika: 

Four armed, Braid of hair over her head, Ornaments-armlets,anklets, necklace etc 
Bahana: Shaba/Corpse

Jogini 2: Tara:

Two armed, knee bent pose, braid of hair to d left, ornaments for head & other like jogini1.
Bahana: Shaba/Corpse

Jogini 3: Narmada

Two armed, braids of hair to d right of head, wears garland of skulls,holds a skull cup near mouth, 
Bahana:Haati/Elephant

Jogini 4: Jamuna

Four armed, pratyalidha pose, curling hair raised over d head, skull cup right upper hand
Bahana:BruhatKachhapa/BigTortoise

Jogini 5: Shanti/Kanti/Lakshmi/Mananda

Two armed, Braid of haird over head, Ornaments like J#1 & Naga,PeacockFeathrSkirt
Bahana:Padma/Lotus

Jogini 6: Bruddhi/Kriya/Baruni

Two armed, Braid of hair to d left of head, Standing in samabhanga pose
Bahana:Taranga/LinesOfWaves

Jogini 7: Ajita/Gauri/Kshemankari

Four armed,Braid of hair over head,Girdgle,necklace,armlet,anklet,Sambhanga pose
Bahana:Kumbhira/Alligator

Jogini 8: Aindri/Indrani

Two armed, Braid of hair, Pratyalidha pose
Bahana:Haati/Elephant

Jogini 9: Barahi

Four armed, face is of boar, ornaments like Jogini#1 with mukuta & kirita, holds skullcup & bow
Bahana:Mainshi/Buffalo

Jogini 10: Ranabira/Padmabati

Two armed, fierce looking, braid of hair, wearing alaka & garland of skull, holding sword
Bahana:Saapa/Snake

Jogini 11: Murati/Ostragreeba/Ostrarudha

Four armed, monkey faced, standing in dwibhanga pose
Bahana:Ota/Camel

Jogini 12: Baishnabi

Two armed, graceful face, curly hair, sarpa mukuta over head, some ornaments
Bahana:Garuda/GarudaBird

Jogini 13: Birupa/Kalaratri/Panchabarahi

Two armed, graceful,smiling,beautiful braid over head, standing in tribhanga pose
Bahana:Barha/Boar

Jogini 14: Badyaroopa

Two armed, braid of hair over her head, standing in dwibhanga pose
Bahana:Dhola/Drum

Jogini 15: Charcchika

Two armed, standing in tribhanga
Bahana:Male having curly hair, holding stem of lotus in right hand, dagger on waist

Jogini 16: Marjari/Betali

Four armed, braid of hair over head, garland of skull,ornament like J#1,standing in samabhanga 
Bahana:Machha/Fish

Jogini 17:Chhinnamastaka

Four armed,braid of hair over head,holds bow in lower left hand,standing in dwibhanga
Bahana: KataMunda/SeveredHead

Jogini 18: Brushabhanana/BindhyaBasini

Two armed, face of buffalo, fierce look, disheveled hair
Bahana: GharaORGumpha/HouseORCave

Jogini 19: Jalakamini

Two armed, beautiful braid of hair to d right of head, decorative waist ornaments, tribhanga pose
Bahana: Benga/Frog

Jogini 20: Ghatabara

Two armed, terrific figure, lifts an elephant & hide over her head.
Bahana: Sinha/Lion

Jogini 21: Bikarali/Kakarali

Two armed, graceful, braid of hair, right foot held by both hand&placed on left thigh
Bahana: Kukura/Dog

Jogini 22: Saraswati

Four armed,with moustache,4m shoulder a tumuru(musical instrument) is hanging,braid of hair ovr head
Bahana:Saapa/Snake

Jogini 23: Birupa

Two armed,braid of hair over head, standing in dwibhanga pose
Bahana:TarangaMala/Waves

Jogini 24:Kauberi

Two armed,braid of hair, mukuta, kirita on head,bejeweled girdle,dancing pose
Bahana:RatnaKalasha & fullblown Padma(lotus)

Jogini 25:Barahi/Bhalluka

Two armed,boar faced,raised hair,ornaments & damaru on right hand, jata mandala hair
Bahana:PadmaLata/LotusCreeper

Jogini 26:Narasinhi/Sinhamukhi

Four armed,lion faced,raised curly hair,pot like on lower hands
Bahana:PanchaPushpaLata/5 flowers with leaves

Jogini 27:Biraja

Two armed,graceful,braid of hair to right of head,standing in dwibhanga pose
Bahana:PadmaKoraka/LotusBud with leaves

Jogini 28:Bikatanana

Two armed,furious with protruding lips,curling matted hair over head, sarpa mukuta type of hair style
Bahana: [BROKEN]

Jogini 29:Mahalakshmi

Two armed,beautiful,garland of snakes,holds bajra & shield,braidofhair to right
Bahana: PurnaPadmaPhula/FullBlownLotus

Jogini 30:Kaumari

Two armed,graceful,akshamala on rightarm,shield on left hand,standing in dwibhangaPose,hair to right
Bahana:Mayura/Peacock

JOGINI 31:MAHAMAYA

TEN ARMED, BEAUTIFUL, BIGGER THAN REST OF JOGINIS.(details in pic)
BAHANA: PURNA PADMA PHULA/FULL BLOWN LOTUS



 






Jogini 32:Usha/Rati

Two armed,furious,raised curling hair,standing in bent knee pose,
Bahana:Archer with bow and arrow, quiver on shoulder

Jogini 33:Karkari

Two armed,graceful,braid of hair to left of head,head & ear ornaments etc,standing in tribhanga pose
Bahana:Kankada/Crab

Jogini 34:Sarpasha/Chittala

Four armed,Snake faced, some ornaments,standing in dwibhanga pose
Bahana:[BROKEN]

Jogini 35:Jashaa

Two armed,kirita & mukuta over head,standing in tribhanga pose
Bahana:Chhota Meja/Small table with 4 legs

Jogini 36:Aghoraa/Baibaswati

Two armed,furious,bulding eyes,raised hair,standing in dwibhanga pose
Bahana:Horned goat like animal

Jogini 37:Bhadrakali/Rudrakali

Two armed,braid of hair over head looks like flame,sword in right hand,designed clothes
Bahana:Kaau/Crow

Jogini 38:Matangi/Shitala/Bainayaki/Ganeshani

Two armed,elephant faced potbelly figure,knot of matted hair over head
Bahana:Gadha/Donkey

Jogini 39:BindhyaBalini

Two armed,braid of hair to rightof head,bow in left& bowstring&arrow in right hand,pratyalidha pose
Bahana:Musha/Rat

Jogini 40:Abhayaa/BiraKumari

Four armed,beautiful,braid of hair like crown,raised upperhands,dancepose
Bahana:KankadaBichaa/CrablikeScorpion

Jogini 41:Maheswari

Four armed,braid of hair to right of head with ornaments,standing dwibhanga pose
Bahana:Shandha/Bull

Jogini 42:Kamakshi/Ambika

Four armed,braid of hair to right of head,lower hand lean against knees,damaru
Bahana:Chakra&Neula/Wheels&Mongoose

Jogini 43:Kamayani

Two armed,ornaments,braid of hair to right of head,standing in dwibhanga pose
Bahana:Kukuda/Cock

Jogini 44;Ghatabari

Two armed,curling hair over head with ornaments(karanda-mukuta),standing in dwibhanga pose
Bahana:Sinha/Lion

Jogini 45:Stutee

Four armed,braid of hair to right of head with flower garland,mukuta
Bahana:HaladiKathuaa/Pot for turmeric paste,FlowerVase

Jogini 46:Kaali

Two armed,braid of hair over head,holds trident,standing in dwibhanga pose
Bahana:Male with Mukuta, kitrita on hand, 3 eyes

Jogini 47:Uma

Four armed,graceful,mukuta,kirita,jatamukuta,holds naga phasha in upper left hand,abhaya mudra
Bahana:PadmaPhula/Lotus flowers

Jogini 48:Narayani

Two armed,sword in right hand,wears tiara on head,left hand on MadyaBhanda/WineKeg-Pedestral-Earthen pot with conical lid

Jogini 49:Samudraa

Two armed,braid of hair to left of head,tiara on head,ornaments on body
Bahana:Shankha/Conch with two legs

Jogini 50:Brahmaani

Four armed,3faced,kirita &jatamukuta over head,paita(sacred thread),decorativeLion of left of pedestral
Bahana:Bahi/Book

Jogini 51:Jwalamukhi

Two armed,ears r raised &  long,long knots of matted hair hanging on both sides of head
Bahana:Platform with 8legs

Jogini 52:Aagneyi

Two armed,with various ornaments,sword in the raised right hand,flames of fire surrounding her
Bahana:Mendha/Sheep

Jogini 53:Aditi

Two armed,braid of hair over hand i.e. chingon on top,standing in samabhanga pose
Bahana:Shuaa/Parrot

Jogini 54:Chandrakanti

Two armed,braid of hair to right of head,wearing ornaments,standing in dwibhanga pose
Bahana:Khata/Cot with 4legs

Jogini 55:Bayubegaa

Two armed,braid of hair(chingon),wearing ornaments,standing in dwibhanga pose
Bahana:ChamariGaai/FemaleYak

Jogini 56:Chamunda

Four armed,garland of skull,holding a lion in upper 2hands,katari&severed head in lowerhands
Bahana:KasturiMruga/MuskDeer

Jogini 57:MuraaTi

Two armed,braid of hair over head like flames,wearing ornaments,standing in tribhanga pose
Bahana:SingalaHarina/HornedDeer

Jogini 58:Ganga

Four armed,braid of hair(chingon),holds petiole full lotus in upper right hand & nagapasa in lower left hand
Bahana:Makara

Jogini 59:Dhumabati/Tarini

Two armed,braid of hair over head,holds winnoing fan in both her hands, standing in samabhanga
Bahana:Bataka/Duck

Jogini 60:Gandhari

Two armed,braid of hair to left of head,a kadamba tree in background
Bahana:Animal like a Donkey or Horse

Jogini 61: SarbaMangala [IDOL IS MISSING]


Jogini 62:Ajitaa

Four armed,braid of hair over head lokking like flames,standing in dancing & tribhanga pose
Bahana:Harina/Stag

Jogini 63:SurjyaPutri

Four armed,graceful,kirita over head,holds bow&arrow & is seen plucking arrow 4m quiver
Bahana:Ghoda/GallopingHorse

Jogini 64:BayuBeena

Two armed,braid of hair to right of head,wearing ornaments,dancing pose

Bahana:KrushnasaraMruga/BlackBuck & 2flowervases


There is a big pond in front of the temple called as "Mahamaya Gaadia(pond)" named after the main Goddess "Mahamaya" among the 64 Joginis.






The temple-like structure at the centre of the pond is called “DipiDaandi”.
Please have a look at the below pic to know why the name is like this.










Thanks
Ashish