The 10th century Sidheshwar Temple, situated northwest of Mukteswar temple, houses an attractive standing figure of Lord Ganesh.
The sanctum of the temple, built in pancha ratha style is surrounded with five-divisional walls which is further sub-divided into two parts. These walls are decorated with Khakhara and Pidha styles ornamental motifs and consist of seven mouldings. The temple tower or shikhara is grouped by a row of miniature turrets, which is surmounted by four rampant lions on the central ratha.
Evening view of symmetric placements of main temple among the other shrines in the campus
Mukteshwar Temple, Bhubaneshwar
Bhubaneshwar is a city of temples and one of the best temple is undoubtedly Mukteshwar temple. Although there are iconic temples like Lingaraj and RajaRani, Mukteshwar has several characteristics which make it stand out. Mukteshwar - meaning lord of freedom - is a millennium old Hindu temple dedicated to lord Shiva.
Mukteshwar for its architecture built in pithdeula style is rightly called as " Gem of Odisha Architecture". The structure can be divided into fur major parts: Torana (porch acting as gateway to compound), Vimana and Mukhasala. Although the temple is small compared to others in Bhubaneshwar, along with other small temples the cluster covers well maintained premise of over half an acre. Architecture introduced many new forms not known to the previously built temples of Odisha and thus called as "Harbinger of new culture".
Mukteshwar Temple complex as seen from the entrance. A small well, locally known as Marichi Kund, lies immediately beyond the sinister of the enclosure, the water of which is believed to cure infertility of women.
The temple walls and the octagonal compound both carries carvings of female dancers, Hindu deities (Saraswati, Ganesha) , animals (monkeys, peacocks) and geometric patterns (lines, squares).
The Department of Tourism of the state government organises a three-day yearly dance function called Mukteswar Dance Festival in the temple premises. This festival celebrates the features of Odissi, the classical dance form of Odisha.
Evening time, when sun sets opposite to the entrance, is the best time to visit. After a long day travel visiting plenty of other places in Bhubaneshwar, Mukteshwar is delightful to watch. Sitting in the lawns one can relish the golden rays illuminating the charming brownish sand stones of the temple. The architecture of temple and peaceful evening must be experienced.
Short history about the temple displayed at the entrance
Mukteshwara Temple
Torana, entrance of the temple
Geometric patterns on windows of main temple: diamond shaped latticed windows around which one can see images of monkeys engrossed in several jovial and humorous scenes that are imbibed from the Panchatantra tales.
Pillars with intricate and skillfully rich carvings
Closeup of beheaded female dancers on the pillars
Ceilings of the temple
Right side view of the complex
Lawns in front of the main temple (right side), Siddheswara temple (Left side)
Other small temples in the premises
Important things:
Temple is open from morning till evening (5 AM till 8 PM)
Best time to visit during day is evening time
Temple looks beautiful in all seasons and can be visited throughout the year
No entry fee or camera fee
Drinking water facility is available
How to reach:
Temple is located at walking distance from Raja-Rani Temple. Kedar-Gauri and Mukteshwar temple shares the compound wall. Complex also holds an unfinished temple - Siddheswara temple.
This is one of the small but beautiful waterfalls of Sambalpur district, Odisha. It is a Cascade waterfall meaning two waterfalls back to back. Waterfall sprinkles out from the Gudguda mountain, however streams doesn't turns into any river.
It is one of the perfect family picnic spot, approachable from any part of Odisha. After October, when Monsoon recedes, limited waterflow allows visitors to enjoy cold water streams. A small stream flows through the forest and in later parts support vegetation and farming in near by villages. Fruits like Mango, Litchi, Oranges are grown around the place.
Waterfall lies on the brink of Bamra-Gangpur forest full of densely grown trees reaching about 75 feet. Surrounding jungle is a serene and ecologically diverse making it a spot for photographing most of wild species occurring in Odisha. when I visited in October, the place was full of butterflies and dragonflies. Major insect predators were the frogs in large number.
How to reach:
From Rourkela, there are two routes to approach Gudguda waterfall. Although the time taken to travel remains same, conditions (road, landscape, accessibility etc) are totally different. On both roads, road signs / milestones are totally missing. The few present are in Odiya.
This road is absolutely superb to drive. Outof 167 Km drive, first 72 Km falls on state highway 10 , which will soon become a four lane highway connecting Rourkela- Jharsuguda-Sambalpur, from Rourkela to Bargaon. In some patches work is going on either to widen or make bridges. The work is expected to complete by May 2016. Food can be founf at all the major places mentioned.
2. Rourkela - Gurundia - Kusumi Gudguda
This is a shorter (107 Km), however more scenic compared to route 1. Most of the road passes through 'Bamra-Gangpur forest range'. Patch between Gurundia to Kusumi is too bad for car. However, road can be enjoyed a lot on bike specially during rainy season. Food may be available only at Gurundia, so always carry some packed food.
Precautions:
Drinking alcohol is prohibited, but as usual, some tourists tend to enjoy it near the streams.
Do not cross the safety wires put around the waterfall.
Unless you are a good swimmer, swimming in deep water is not advisable. Many incidents of mishaps are reported from the place.
If you are cooking, take care not to be a reason to destroy the place with fire.
Facilities:
No fees for the visit
It's primarily developed as picnic location. Cooking food is allowed. Special concrete platforms are constructed for the same.
Changing rooms are available with the care-taker.
Place is approachable with any kind of vehicle. Lot of parking space is available.
Best time to visit
October to February
Approaching road to the parking area at Gudguda
List of Butterflies spotted
Common Mormon
Blue Mormon
Baronet
Chocolate Pansy
Grey Pansy
Peacock Pansy
Leopard
Common Grass Yellow
Lime
Common Emigrant
Common Nawab
Common Lineblue
Common Hedgeblue
Common Crow
Glassy tiger
Common Lascar
Common Evening Brown
Orange Oakleaf
Golden Angle
Great Egg fly
Grass Dart
Water snow flat
Oakblue species
Sailor species
Silverline species
Prof Bala and his family enjoying a dip at the waterfall
Small water streams and dense jungles make it perfect combination for photography
Why should I write a blog? : Intellectual development
To me, self development is the first and foremost reason of blog writing. A good blog writer knowingly or unknowingly follows a development circle : Acquisition, processing, expression and improvisation. Before me explaining these four steps, lets us stop a bit to revise the definitions of knowledge, learning and wisdom from Wikipedia These terms are defined as
Knowledge is a familiarity with someone or something, which can include facts, information, descriptions, or skills acquired through experience or education. It can refer to the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject. it can be more or less formal or systematic.
Learning is acquiring new, or modifying existing, knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences and may involve synthesizing different types of information. Wisdom is the judicious theory and application of knowledge. It is a deep understanding and realization of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to apply perceptions, judgments and actions in keeping with this understanding.
Thus learning is a process that transforms knowledge into wisdom, and the tool for the intellectual development. Development cycle is continuous process to be purified with many different tools like writing, discussing / debating. To gain wisdom one must acquire knowledge learning by acquisition of information, processing it, expressing information in right form, improvisation based on outcome of expression.
Information can be acquired by reading, observation , documentation. Sources of reading includes books, periodicals, website. The time when we don't do anything formally is the time for observation. Documentation is preparing the notes of observations made (textual or graphical), multimedia recordings (analog / digital).
During processing, information gathered over period of time must be inter-connected, duly organised to develop the subject under consideration. Experimenting is also a part of processing, where the theory developed is out to test and conclusions are drawn in turns adding to the information. Expression is the step where blog writing comes into picture. Writing a post helps to put formally the organised thoughts.
Kansbahal is a modern industrial town situated in the state of Odish India. Kansbahal abounds in naturally beautiful and man made places, among others, Mandira Dam,towards the northwest, Water Point, towards the north, Pitamahal Dam, towards the southeast and Kansbahal Dam, towards the south that are very suitable for the picnic spots. Two rivers run by Kansbahal - Ghoghar river and Sankh river, with the Ghoghar river finally merging into the Sankh river.
It is one the picnic spot locals enjoy alot. Once can prepare food here and enjoy eating it amidst the cool greenery. Sunset and sunrise timing are perfect for some landscape photography. Birds and macrolife (insects likes butterflies) are in abundance to photograph.
How to Reach Kansbahal Dam:
It lies on the State Highway #SH10 between the cities of Rourkela and Rajgangpur, about 25 km from Rourkela. Road till the dam in motor-able.
When in the Rome do what Romans do. Likewise if you are travelling in India you might get baffled what to do first, when choices are many. One thing definitely is to eat local food. However, availability of so many dishes to choose from, decision making is little difficult. Then there are endless classifications such as Veg or non-veg, spicy or sweet, main course or snacks, one course or many, beverages or solid food, hygienic or street food? To every question there is only one solution: finding a good restaurant, which serves authentic local food.
I must say, I was lucky to visit one in Rourkela, the restaurant which serves local Odishi food. Lucky because nobody prescribed it and I never read about. After handing over car for maintenance to dealer, I thought to have lunch in nearby hotel. Restaurant Dalma was the nearest and the look drove me inside.
Food choice:
Here several typical Odia dishes are available. To quote a few veg dishes :Dalma,Dahi Baingan
Both veg and non veg food is served
Staff and service up to the mark
Economical compared to the facilities, service and variety offered
Facilities:
AC restaurant
Ample car parking
All cards are accepted. If phone line is down, which is quite probable, carrying cash is wise option.
Clean washrooms
Suggestions for improvement:
Quality of utensils and cutlery can be replaced with better ones
Quantity of food could be more, compensating in price obviously
Siddheshwara Temple, Bhubaneshwar
