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[Manas Muduli @manas_muduli]

Patora Dam in Nuapada, Odisha—truly a gem of Beautiful Odisha!

[Shefali Vaidya. 🇮🇳 @ShefVaidya]

#LongRead #TempleTrails #OdishaOdyssey

Barahi Temple: The Hidden Treasure Of Odisha

Tucked away in the serene folds of Odisha’s ancient Prachi Valley lies the Barahi Temple, an architectural treasure that often escapes the tourist radar. Located just about an hour away from the famous Jagannath temple of Puri, the Barahi temple hardly gets any visitors, despite being one of the best examples of Kaligan architecture. Ever since I had read about this temple in a book on Odisha temples, I was eager to visit the temple. My friend Panchami Manoo Ukil very kindly offered to take me there.

The Prachi Valley is sometimes called the cradle of Odisha’s civilisation. It stretches along the Prachi river, a tributary of the mighty Mahanadi. Today, the river is little more than a seasonal stream, but historically, the valley has been home to diverse religious traditions — Saivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, Buddhism, and Jainism — all coexisting harmoniously. Ancient inscriptions and texts refer to the Prachi valley as a hub of learning and spiritual activity, with scholars, artists, and pilgrims thronging its verdant banks.

Today though, the Prachi valley is home to quiet picturesque Odishan villages located amidst emerald green paddy fields and palm trees. The Barahi temple is located in the small village of Chaurasi, about 30 kilometers from Bhubaneswar. It is dedicated to Goddess Barahi — one of the Sapta Matrikas (Seven Mother Goddesses) in Hindu tradition. What makes this temple unique is the unusual iconography of the deity.

Goddess Barahi is depicted with the face of a boar (varaha-mukhi), holding a fish in one hand and a cup made from a human skull in the other. She sits gracefully in Lalitasana, with one foot upon a buffalo, her mount. She is presented as a pot-bellied goddess with two arms. She holds a fish in her right hand and a bowl in her left hand. A third eye is engraved into her forehead. Her iconography hints that the temple was once a center of Tantric Shakta worship.

Built during the 9th century CE, the temple’s construction is attributed to the Somavamshi Kalinga kings, who were known to be great patrons of art and sculpture. Crafted from sandstone, the temple is small, yet elegant. structure is simple yet elegant. The vimana (sanctum) is crowned by a rekha deula, the curvilinear Shekhara that is typical of Odishan temples. The Jagamohana or the sabhamandapa is rectangular in shape. The temple is largely intact and is now maintained by ASI.

The temple has pillars on all three sides that have exquisitely carved Naga Devatas on them. There is a stunning Ganesha in the Devakoshtha on the north side and the west devakoshtha has a beautiful seated murti of Surya seated in his seven horsed chariot. There are mithuna sculptures in the small niches that are elaborately carved.

The dim light and the coolness of the stone walls inside the temple give it a womb like vibe. The murti of Barahi Ma is mesmerising, the eyes feel like they are boring into your soul in the diffused light of the temple. I stood in front of the sanctum, transfixed by the Devi’s countenance. As one of the Saptamatrukas, she radiates a fierce, magnetic energy that you feel even today, more than a thousand years after the consecration of the Murti.

While more famous temples of Odisha like the Lingaraj temple of Bhubaneshwar, Lord Jagannath of Puri, and the Sun Temple at Konark justifiably draw huge crowds, the Barahi Temple offers a more intimate, contemplative experience.

The temple is a window into the layered religious history of the region, a testament to Odisha’s lesser-known Shakta tradition. The temple is a reminder that history often lingers in the quieter corners, waiting for the right ears to listen to its voice.

Shefali Vaidya

[Sridhar Vembu @svembu]

Last week I met a smart Odiya entrepreneur (and Zoho customer) hailing from a small village, and he spoke halting English but his Hindi is quite decent. He was forced to use English to speak to me. My speaking halting Hindi mixed with English words would have been easier for us to do business. That is what I am aiming to get to.

In Tamil Nadu we learned English to do business globally, because you speak the language of your customer, you don't get to dictate what the customer speaks.

Now that globalization is going in reverse, we have to rely on India's own vast domestic market ($4+ trillion GDP and growing!). The link language of the Indian customer is Hindi and this is not just in Hindi-speaking states. You can get by with Hindi in Hyderabad or Bhvaneshwar or in Kolkata. Unlike English, no one in India judges you for speaking broken Hindi - they appreciate your effort.

This is how a practical business person thinks.

You can attack me all you want but if you are a business person, you would be smart to take this advice!

I am generally immune to being mercilessly attacked so thank you for wasting your time rather than fighting out how to get ahead in life 😁 🙏

[Manas Muduli @manas_muduli]

Shree Jagannatha International Airport (SJIA) is happening!!

Odisha’s Transport Minister confirmed in the Assembly that the proposed airport in #Puri is moving forward, with 1,164 acres of land allocated for its development.

[Prasanna S @myprasanna]

My wife has given a press conf outside the police station as I was informed. Let's address her allegations and see what actually happened.

[Akshita M. Bhanj Deo @TheGreatAshB]

When do we get railways with better connections to cities, I take the train every month and need to drive 1 hour to Balasore to make the Shatabdi or Vande Bharat, with no direct connectivity. The Airport was set up in the 20th century, waiting for airport in 21st century.

[Akshita M. Bhanj Deo @TheGreatAshB]

How long will it take to restore Mayurbhanj’s state-time airports? Another TIME 100 award? Or will we continue to lose over 1000 eager tourists due to limited direct accessibility?

Mayurbhanj is primed for tourism development—we’re just waiting for our wings to take flight.

[Gilehrio @gilehrio]

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[Gilehrio @gilehrio]

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[Gilehrio @gilehrio]

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[Gilehrio @gilehrio]

Do you agree?

[Gilehrio @gilehrio]

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[Gilehrio @gilehrio]

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[Gilehrio @gilehrio]

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[Gilehrio @gilehrio]

This Gandhi Jayanti, explore the world with a heart full of kindness and a mind focused on sustainability. Gilehrio offers travel experiences that honor Gandhi Ji's principles. Let's journey together towards a greener, more compassionate world. #GandhiJayanti #TravelWithKindness

[Gilehrio @gilehrio]

Embrace Responsible Tourism on this World Tourism Day! 🌍✨
#ResponsibleTourism #TravelWithPurpose #CommunityConnections
#WorldTourismDay2023
#WorldTourismDay

[Gilehrio @gilehrio]

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[Gilehrio @gilehrio]

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[Gilehrio @gilehrio]

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[Gilehrio @gilehrio]

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