blogvirasatehind ancient history, Architecture, Art History, Buddhism, Odisha, Rock-cut Caves

Langudi – Odisha’s Miraculous Buddhist Hill

Year 1995! I had just registered my PhD programme on Buddhist Archaeology at Pune’s Deccan College. I had come to Odisha for my initial fieldwork. On a fine late afternoon, I had stumbled upon Langudi Hill with my other companions Dr Pradip Mohanty and Dr Harish Prusty, both experts in Buddhist Archaeology. Remains of Rock-Cut … Continue reading Langudi – Odisha’s Miraculous Buddhist Hill

blogvirasatehind Adivasi, Community Heritage, Ethnography, Festivals, indian school of painting, Murals, My Story, Odisha

Osakothi Rituals in Ganjam – An Anthropological Journey

A story goes - On the way to heaven, the five Pandava brothers had rested on the veranda of a Brahmin’s house, where no woman was ever blessed with the birth of a child. Arjuna came forward to intervene. He erected a Kothi and a Chammundia (a temporary shelter) with the help of arrows. Through … Continue reading Osakothi Rituals in Ganjam – An Anthropological Journey

blogvirasatehind Art History, Community Heritage, Craft, Ethnography, Murals, My Story, Odisha

Odisha’s Tulsi Chauras – Devotion in Terracotta

Oh Tulasi You who are beloved of Vishnu You who fulfil the wishes of the devout I will bathe you You are the mother of the world Give me the blessings of Vishnu   Oh Tulasi Within your roots are all sacred places of the world And inside your stem live all the Gods and … Continue reading Odisha’s Tulsi Chauras – Devotion in Terracotta

zehra77 ancient history, Architecture, Community Heritage, Hindu Temple Architecture, Medieval History, Photo Story, Rock-cut Caves, Shaivism, South India, Tamil Nadu, Temple Architecture Style

Dravida Temple Architecture – Origin and Development : A Visual Journey

As an art and heritage lover, I have travelled to many historical sites in the country but Tamil Nadu seemed to have eluded me. With the three great living chola temples on my mind, I sat down with a map and planned a 10 day road trip through Tamil heartland. And was I not surprised … Continue reading Dravida Temple Architecture – Origin and Development : A Visual Journey

zehra77 ancient history, British history, Buddhism, Colonial, Community Heritage, Maharashtra, Maritime Heritage, Mumbai, Photo Story, Portugese, Rock-cut Caves, Shaivism

Mandapeshwar Caves – Isolated Remains Of A Tumultuous Past

4 kms in an hour. My bike can go faster but not the rush hour traffic and crowd of Swami Vivekanand Road in Borivali. Does not matter if its a sunday today for in Mumbai every waking hour is a rush hour. Exhausted but finally in front of Mandapeshwar caves. How I wish I could go back … Continue reading Mandapeshwar Caves – Isolated Remains Of A Tumultuous Past