Ananta Vasudeva Temple in Bhubaneswar

 

The 13th century Ananta Vasudeva Temple in Bhubaneswar was built by Eastern Ganga princess Chandrika who was the daughter of Anangabhima III and sister of Narasimha I, the last great ruler of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.  

View of Ananta Vasudeva Temple from Bindu Sagar Lake / Image Credit: Sarba

Enchey monastery

Located on a beautiful hill top on the northern outskirts of Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, the Enchey monastery commands spectacular views of the town and the Kanchenjunga peak. Established in 1909, it is the seat of the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Tradition has it that the famous tantric and lama Lama Druptob Karpo who had acquired flying power actually flew here from Maenam hill in South Sikkim and built a hermitage here for performing meditation.

Enchey monastery's prayer hall is adorned with beautiful murals and houses a statue of Buddha as well as other Tantric statues. 

You can see the monks performing prayers and traditional rituals. The Enchey monastery is at its exuberant best during its Chaam dance also known as the mask dance usually held in December.  Only lamas can participate in Chaam. 

How to reach Enchey monastery

Air: Bagdogra, 9 km west of Siliguri in West Bengal, is the nearest airport to Enchey monastery and is some 124 km away from Enchey monastery. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or a private cab that will take you to the Enchey monastery in two hours. The drive from Bagdogra to Enchey monastery is a bewitching experience with River Teesta and scenic mountains as the backdrop.  

Rail: The nearest railway station to Enchey monastery is about 150 kilometres away in New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in West Bengal. NJP railway station is well-connected to major cities and places in India including New Delhi and Kolkata. From NJP you can take a taxi to reach Enchey monastery or go to Siliguri Bus Station and board a state-run bus to Gangtok. From Gangtok you can hire a taxi or cab. 

Road: Well-maintained roads connect Enchey monastery with all the major places in Sikkim and India. 

Best Time to visit Enchey monastery 

October to June is the best period to visit Enchey monastery. If you want to see the Chaam dance performed in the monastery you will have to come in the month of December when temperature drops to an average low of about 4°C.  

Jethian: A Trail of Enlightenment

Located in the Gaya district of Bihar and close to Rajgir, Jethian occupies a place of great prominence among the spots associated with the life of the Buddha. Known as Lathivana in Pali and Yasthivana in Sanskrit in ancient times, Jethian is the place where the Buddha met the ruler of Magadh, Bimbisara, after the former became enlightened at Bodh Gaya in the 6th century BC. 

The Buddhist texts say that Gautama Buddha was heading towards Rajgir from Gayasisa (Brhmayoni) to share his experience with Bimbisara as promised by the former before his enlightenment. As soon as the Magadhan ruler got the news of Buddha’s coming, he along with his retinue of ministers and people of Rajgir left his capital to welcome Buddha at Jethian. Here Buddha delivered a sermon to Bimbisara on the non-existence of soul and the transience of worldly objects. 

It was from Jethian that the Buddha and his followers were escorted by King Bimbisara through Jethian-Rajgir Valley to Rajgir, where the King offered them his favourite park and pleasure garden, Veluvana (Bamboo Grove) for their residence.

Today the serene Jethian – Rajgir valley is a Buddhist pilgrimage route around 13.5 km long. Many pilgrims, Buddhist monks and tourists from different parts of the world take up this route as a form of spiritual path which was taken by Buddha some 2500 years ago. During their stay at Jethian, the Buddha and his followers were offered alms by its residents. This legacy has also been revived in the form of sangha-dana before the spiritual walk taken by the pilgrims. 

In the seventh century AD, the renowned Chinese traveller, Hieun Tsang spent almost two years at Jethian where he studied Buddhism under the guidance of eminent Buddhist monk Jayasena. 

Other highlights of Jethian are the remains of a stupa, the statues of the Buddha and Avalokitsewara, also known as Padmapani. Jethian is a perfect base for the pilgrims willing to explore various sacred Buddhist places in its vicinity. 

Jethian – Rajgir was identified by British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham in 1871. 

Special Buddhist Tour For India

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India’s greatest contribution to the world is Buddhism.

With over 5,000 years of history encompassing the most wonderful ancient history in the world, few countries boast as much as India for historical sites, peerless treasures, and mystical intrigue. 

Attractions in Kolkata, Capital of West Bengal

India’s capital until 1911, Kolkata comes lauded as the self proclaimed intellectual capital of the country. Teeming with the relics of the colonial past, this once showpiece capital of the British is one of the largest cities in India and fiercely loved by its inhabitants. Those visiting the city are highly rewarded thanks to the some of the fine attractions including Victoria Memorial, St. Paul Cathedral Church and Indian Museum.

Victoria Memorial

Your lasting impression of Kolkata will be of the impressive the Victoria Memorial. A perfect example of Indo-Sarsenic architecture, this iconic landmark of white marble houses several galleries displaying Raj memorabilia as well as paintings of the bygone era.

St Paul’s Cathedral

A fine specimen of Indo-Gothic architecture modelled after the Canterbury Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral in Kolkata is billed as one of the most important churches of India. Located east of the Victoria Memorial, the church houses the best stained glass window in the country. Built in 1847, St Paul’s Cathedral underwent redesigning and reconstruction after the damage to the structure in 1897 earthquake.

Indian Museum

                                    Bharhut in the Indian Museum, Kolkata‎ / Image credit

A stay in the Indian museum in Kolkata will enhance your historical knowledge. An impressive repository of artefacts dating back to the different periods of history, the museum came into being in 1814 and is a must-visit attraction in Kolkata. One of the highlights of the museum is a replica of the 2nd-century BC Barhut Stupa.

St. John’s Church

Built in 1787 St. John’s Church is one of the oldest Churches in Kolkata. Its 174 ft-high stone tower has earned it the nickname ‘The Stone Church’. Within the precincts of the Church is the tomb of Job charnock, traditionally associated with the foundation of Kolkata. Another highlight of St. John’s Church is home to 2 hundred year old exquisite painting depicting the Last Supper, by 18th-century German neoclassical artist Johann Zoffany.

 

Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh

Sarnath Buddha / Image credit

Located 10km north of Varanasi, Sarnath is a Buddhist attraction not to be missed. It was at Sarnath where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after the attainment of enlightenment in Bodh Gaya from where he journeyed to Sarnath to preach his first sermon to those five ascetics who were his disciples but had left him in disgust when they found that the Buddha became convinced that rigorous self mortification is not the way to obtain final bliss.

 

Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath / Image credit

Dhamekh Stupa and Ashokan Pillar are the main attractions in Sarnath.

 In Varanasi you can visit the Dasaswamedh Ghat, the most famous of the several ghats on the banks of Ganges River in the city. It is fascinating to see the aarti (prayer ceremony). An evening stroll through the local market will be a unique experience.

You can take a sunrise boat ride along bathing Ghats of the Ganges to have a glimpse of temples and the age-old rituals performed by thousands of devotees who throng here to take holy dip in the waters to cleanse themselves of the sins.

The city tour of Varanasi may include visit to the Sankat Mochan temple and the Bharat Mata temple.

Bodh Gaya in Bihar

Bodh Gaya, is 250 km away from Varanasi,  is in Bihar. It was at Bodh Gaya where the Buddha got Enlightenment under the bodhi tree (Tree of Wisdom).Mahabodhi temple is the main attraction in Bodh Gaya.  

Mahabodhi temple 

The spiritually important 170 feet UNESCO listed Mahabodhi Temple is one of the oldest shrines in India. Its art and architecture has been described in glowing terms by the 7th century Chinese traveller Huien Tsang. In all probability the main tower of the temple was built in the sixth century AD.

Maha Bodhi Temple / Image credit

After visiting the Mahbodhi temple you can visit Sujata Village named after the young woman Sujata who offered milk to Siddhartha Gautama as the Buddha was known before he got Enlightenment.  You can head towards the Niranjan River (modern Phalgu) on the banks of which one morning of Vaisakha Purnima at the age of 35, Siddhartha Gautama attained Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree (Tree of Wisdom) and came to be called the Buddha.

Nalanda, Bihar 

85 kms away from Bodh Gaya is Nalanda which is known for the ruins of the world famous Buddhist monastery which served as a great centre of learning in the ancient India.

Established in 5th century AD during the Gupta p eriod the University of Nalanda was the Buddhism’s most famous teaching centre which attracted students and pilgrims from far-off countries including China and south-East Asia. The renowned Chinese traveller Hiuen-Tsang who visited India in the 7th century AD, studied at the University describes Nalanda as full of intellectual activity.

Rajgir

After exploring Nalanda University Complex you can proceed to Rajgir which is 15 km from Nalanda. A major centre of Buddhist pilgrimage, Rajgir in Bihar is famous for being deeply associated with the life of the Buddha. It served as the ancient capital of the powerful Magadha Empire and was one of six main cities in ancient India. This can be gauged form Buddha’s disciple Ananda’s regret that his master should have died in either of the cities of Sravasti, Champa, Rajagraha, Saketa, Kausambi and Varanasi not in a small place like Kusinagar. 

At Rajgir you can visit Griddhakuta or Vulture's Peak, Bimbisara's Jail, Venuvanaram and Saptaparni Cave.

Griddhakuta

The well-known Buddhist site of Griddhakuta Hill is deservedly an attraction in Rajgir not to be missed. During the rainy season the Buddha used to climb up to hismo untain retreat atop the Griddhakuta Hill and deliver sermons to his disciples. The brilliant shine of the Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), built on the top of the hill by the Buddha Sangha of Japan in 1965, is a feast for the eyes. Though you can reach the hill by following a bridle path, it would be an experience of a lifetime to use the aerial single-person chairlift. A ride on the chairlift commands a panoramic view of the hills of Rajgir and some Jain temples dotting the landscape.

Bimbisara's Jail

The spot marks the site where King Bimbisara, the founder of Haryanka Dynasty of Magadha, was imprisoned by his son Ajatashatru who later murdered his father.

Venuvana

One of the famous attractions of Rajgir, Venuvana is the site of the monastery Venuvana Vihar where Gautama Buddha used to reside while he was in Rajgir.

Venuvana Vihar was built by Bimbisara for use by Buddha. Bimbisara was the founder of Haryanka Dynasty of Magadha.

Saptaparni Cave

Saptaparni Cave is the place where Buddha used to meditate. It is said to be the venue for the First Buddhist Council, held six months after Buddha's death. The

Saptparni cave is also the source of the various hot water springs the waters of which are known to provide cure for the chronic ailments. The therapeutic baths at these springs have been famous for their medicinal powers for centuries and have continued to have a following among the Buddhists, Hindus and Jains to this day.

Itkhori 

Located some 150km from Ranchi, Itkhori in the Chatra district in Jharkhand is a holy site to Buddhism. 

Legend has it that the Buddha had come to Itkhori. When his aunt reached Itkhori searching for the Buddha who had renounced the mundane world and was meditating here, she did not find him and left the place with heavy heart by saying Iti Khoi, which in Pali means "we lost him here". It was from these two words Iti Khoi that Itkhori derives its name. 

Sanchi stupa, Madhya Pradesh

The Sanchi stupa is a massive hemisphere of about 120 feet in diameter. Towards the end of the 1st century BC four glorious gateways (torana) were added at the four cardinal points. The stupa was enlarged to twice its original size in the 2nd century AD. Lesser stupas and monastic buildings surround the great stupa.

Sanchi Stupa Gateway / Image credit

The Sanchi gateways, carved with great skill, are more remarkable for their carved ornamentation than their architecture. You will also find an Ashokan pillar, located in the vicinity of the Southern gateway of the Great Stupa.

 

Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra

The world famous site of Ajanta is home to some 29 rock-hewn Buddhist caves which were excavated into the scarp of a cliff of a hillside set in the valley of the Waghora River. Of these four are Chaityas and the rest viharas (monasteries).  These caves were constructed from the 2nd century BC to 7th century AD.

Ajanta, cave 26, chaitya-griha, Buddha / Image credit

The spectacular sculpture and lovely paintings with which the Ajanta caves adorned make them one of the most splendid monuments of ancient India. The murals depict scene from the life of the Buddha and from the Jatakas.

Among the many works of genius of Ajanta, the statue of Avlokitsvara Padmapani in the pose called tribhanga is something that defies imagination. 

 

Ellora Caves, Maharashtra

Ellora Caves’s claim to world fame lies in the magnificent 34 rock-cut caves dating from back to sometime between the 5th and 8th centuries AD. Out of the 34 caves, 12 are Buddhist. Of these the 11 caves are all viharas except the Visvakarma which is a chaitya hall enshrining a stupa adorned with a massive figure of Buddha in a seated position with two attendants on both sides. 

Buddhist monastries, Ellora / Image Credit

The crowning jewel of the Ellora is the Kailasanath Temple chiseled out from a single rock and is an awesome achievement of the architects and artists. Its carvings are among the finest sculptures of India. 

 

 

World Heritage Day 2023

Every year on April 18th, International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS), popularly known as World Heritage Day, is celebrated. ‘Heritage Changes’ is the theme of World Heritage Day 2023. 

In 1982, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) announced 18 April as World Heritage Day. 

This was approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1983, to enhance awareness about the importance of cultural heritage, and monuments and conserving them.

World Heritage sites

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has a total of 1,154 monuments designated as world heritage sites from all over the world.
• Apart from India only Italy, Spain, Germany, China and France have 40 or more World Heritage sites.
• Telangana's 13th-century Ramappa Temple and the Harappan city of Dholavira in the Bhachau taluka of Kutch district in Gujarat have recently been added to the list of World Heritage sites in India. 
• Built in 1213 AD during the reign of the greatest Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva (ruled 1199–1262) by his general Recharla Rudra, the Ramappa Temple is located in a valley at the village of Palampet, approximately 77 km away from Warangal and 200km north-east of Hyderabad.  
• Dholavira is the first Indus Valley Civilisation site in India to be bestowed the coveted title by UNESCO. 
• With the addition of Dholavira, India now boasts 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

 

B. R. Ambedkar's Birth Anniversary

Today is the birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar who was a leader of the depressed classes throughout his life. He worked for the moral and material progress of the 'untouchables'.

B. R. Ambedkar was born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow (now officially known as Dr Ambedkar Nagar) in Madhya Pradesh. He belonged to the 'untouchable' Mahar caste.

Ambedkar was a great scholar who studied economics at Columbia University and the London School of Economics. 

In 1924 Ambedkar founded the Depressed Classes Institute (Bahishkrit Hitkarni Sabha) in Bombay. Three years later in 1927 he established the Samaj Samta Sangh to propagate the gospel of social equality between caste Hindus and worked for the uplift of the 'untouchables'.

In December 1927, he led a satyagraha in Mahad to fight for the rights of the 'untouchables' to draw water from public wells and tanks.

In 1928 he organized temple entry movement named  Parvati temple satyagraha. He started Kalasam temple satyagraha during 1930 and 1935. 

In 1936, Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party for protecting the interest of the labour classes. Thta year he wrote seminal work Annihilation of Caste which strongly criticizes the caste system. 

In 1942 he founded Scheduled Castes Federation to campaign for the rights of the Dalit community.

Sarbat Khalsa: A gathering of Believers

The Sarbat Khalsa is a term meaning “all congregation.” It refers to a traditional assembly of all factions of Sikhs to discuss social, political, and religious issues of great importance to the community.  

The Sikh religion provides this gathering of believers in times of extreme crisis. Sarbat Khalsa was convened regularly in the 18th century, when the Mughal empire was trying to exterminate the Sikhs. The Sarbat Khalsa got discontinued in the beginning of the 19th century when the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh officially abolished Sarbat Khalsa in 1805.

Sarbat Khalsa was called just twice in the 20th century. 

Sarbat Khalsa literally means the 'entire Sikh nation'. Sarbat Khalsa - a congregation of the faithful, The Sikh religion provides for a gathering of the faithful, the Sarbat Khalsa, in times of great crisis.

The Sarbat Khalsa was called on a number of occasions during the 18th century when the Mughal empire was trying to exterminate the Sikhs.

The Sarbat Khalsa got discontinued in the beginning of the 19th century when the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh officially abolished Sarbat Khalsa in 1805.

In the 20th century Sarbat Khalsa was called twice. In 1920 it was called to discuss control over gurdwaras, and again in 1986 against the backdrop of the Indian Army’s Operation Blue Star in the Golden Temple and the subsequent killing of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In 1986, a panthic committee was formed that gave a call for their own Khalistan (land of the pure).

The idea of a deliberative assembly of Sikhs originated in the 18th century and was convened twice a year. The first Sarbat Khalsa was called by the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh before his death in 1708.