State in India orissa industry. Four main attractions of Orissa

ORISSA's distinctive and rich cultural heritage is felt throughout this small state on the eastern coast of the subcontinent. The mighty Mahanandi and Brahmani rivers meander down from the densely forested mountains, where the adivasi tribes continue to live their very traditional lives, into the fertile alluvial plains that stretch along the coast of the Bay of Bengal.

Anyone visiting Orissa cannot help but notice the stark contrast between the vibrant temples and monuments of powerful past dynasties and the desperately poor, drought-prone Orissa of today, whose economy is based on rice cultivation. Despite the seemingly idyllic existence of villages with their thatched roofs and whitewashed temple towers, scattered among palm groves and surrounded by green fields, villagers must constantly contend with destructive and unpredictable cyclone-prone tropical environments, as well as dealing with equally unstable politics.

The coastal plains claim India's highest concentration of historical and religious monuments - the main tourist attractions of Orissa. Home to the famous Jagannath Temple and one of the most picturesque religious processions, the Rath Yatra, Puri combines the intoxicating intensity of a Hindu pilgrimage center with the most hedonistic pleasures of the beach. Not far away, along the main road and railway from Kolkata to Chennai, there are many inexpensive hotels, which, together with the laid-back lifestyle here, attract a certain number of wild tourists with backpacks. At Konarak, a little further along the coast, are the ruins of the most interesting temple in Orissa. For many years it was hidden under a giant sand dune, its surface is decorated with perfectly preserved sculpture, including some amazing examples of erotica. The ancient rock-cut caves and ornate sandstone temples of Bhubaneswar, the state capital - often overlooked by tourists - take you back to an era when the city ruled a kingdom stretching from the Ganga delta to the mouth of the Godavari River.

Far from the central “golden triangle”, here tourist places are scattered far from each other and there are few foreign tourists, which cannot be said about the Bengalis who travel around coastal Orissa in entire family groups. Those who come to this region usually have some special interest, such as bird and animal watching, temples or tribal culture. In these remote areas, similar passion is needed to defy the odds of minimal infrastructure and overtaxed public transport. Simlipal National Park, deep in the sal forests of the far northeast, features spectacular habitats inhabited by tigers, elephants and hundreds of other species of animals, birds and reptiles that have become virtually extinct in more polluted areas. In winter, the small islands scattered across Chilika Lake, a huge brackish lagoon south of Bhubaneswar, become a bird lover's paradise. Further north, at the end of Orissa's river delta, is the Bhita Kanika Sanctuary, a secluded stretch of beach that is home to the breeding masses of giant olive sea turtles that migrate here in February and March from the South American coast.

Judging by the number of temples, pilgrims and roadside altars in Orissa, one might easily think that Hinduism was the only religion here. But in fact, almost a quarter of the population belongs to the adivasi, or tribes (literally “first inhabitants”), which are believed to be descended from the pre-Aryan aborigines who lived in the area. In the most inaccessible parts of the state, such as the nearly impenetrable mountainous region that runs the length of the interior, many of these groups have maintained unique cultural traditions and languages. However, the scourge of “ethnic” tourism is the latest intrusion into the Adivasi way of life following dam builders, missionaries and “development programs” initiated by the state government. Hotels and travel agencies all over Puri offer “tribal tours” for large amounts of dollars, of which nothing ever trickles down to the Adivasi villages themselves.

Orissa enjoys a fairly favorable climate for most of the year, with average temperatures ranging from 17°C between November and March, to a tolerable summer temperature of 32°C, although it can be humid. The monsoon begins to blow around mid-June, just in time for the start of the Rath Yatra festival. The best time to visit is during the cool winter months, especially during Makar Sankranti in January, when Orissa's villages celebrate the end of the harvest with colorful festivities.

Getting around is relatively easy as long as you stick to the more populated coastal areas. National Highway 5 and the South Eastern Railway, which run along the coastal plain through Bhubaneswar, are the main transport arteries of the region. There is also a metre-wide side track that extends all the way to Puri, from where direct trains often depart to Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. In other places, the best way to get around is by bus. Regular government buses and private buses that are constantly expanding their routes ply along all major roads and reach most more remote areas.

Historical facts

By the 7th century. Orissa has already achieved a strong position. Over the next five hundred years, successive powerful and prosperous Hindu dynasties ruled the region and produced some of the finest artistic and architectural works in South Asian history. When in the 12th century. The Eastern Gangas came to power and this “golden age” reached its zenith. Reaping significant profits from a thriving trade network (which extended as far east as Indonesia), the kings of the Ganga dynasty erected magnificent temples at Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konarak, in which the veneration of Shiva and the secret tantric rites followed by the early rulers of Orissa gave way to new forms of worship Vishnu. The Puri sanctuary, dedicated to the most famous deity of the ruling dynasty - Lord Jagannath, had by this time become one of the four holiest religious centers in India.

With the exception of the brief invasion of Feruz Sultan in the 14th century, Hinduism in Orissa was largely unaffected by the Muslim occupation of Bihar and Bengal. This luck, however, was not destined to last. In the 15th century Afghans from Bengal annexed the region, with Man Singh's Mughal army hot on their heels in 1592. It is a miracle that at least a few medieval Hindu monuments escaped destruction by militant religious fanatics; fortunately this happened, although non-Hindus have since never been allowed to enter most of the holy temples in Puri and Bhubaneswar. In 1751, the Marathas from western India ousted the Mughals and began to rule the region themselves. The East India Company, meanwhile, also carried out raids in the coastal areas and, 28 years after Clive's victory at Plassey in 1765, Orissa finally fell into British dependence.

Since Independence, the state has developed rapidly. The discovery of reserves of coal, bauxite, iron ore and other minerals stimulated significant industrial growth and infrastructure improvements. Yet despite this urban progress, Orissa remains a poor agrarian state, heavily dependent on agriculture, unable to provide for the basic needs of its 32 million people. Orissa's transition into the new millennium has not been smooth: recent political instability and the October 1999 “super cyclone” that swept through the northern and central coastal plains have caused significant damage to the people of Orissa, resulting in despair.

Holidays

1. Makar Mela (mid Jan). Pilgrims throng the tiny island on Lake Chilika to make votive offerings in the cave of the goddess Kali.
2. Adivasi Mela (Jan 26 - Feb 1). This tribal fair in Bhubaneswar is a disappointing mix of Coney Island and an agricultural show, although there is some good live music and dancing to be had.
3. Magha Saptami (Jan and Feb). During the full moon phase of the month of Magha, the small pond at Chandrabhaga beach near Konarak is thronged with thousands of devotees. This is a festival in honor of Surya, the sun god who also heals skin diseases.
4. Panashankanti (early April). In various regions, on the first day of the month of Vaisakh, penitents dressed in saffron-colored robes carry peacock feathers, enter a trance and walk on hot coals.
5. Chaitra Parba (Sep Apr). The Santals, the largest of Orissa's numerous Adivasi ethnic groups, perform dances at Baripada in Mayurbhanj district, northern Orissa. Some fishing castes also perform “horse dances,” which involve the use of wooden horse costumes, the beating of drums, and parades through the streets.
6. Ashokastami (April and May). Bhubaneswar Chariot Festival (procession of temple chariots) when the deity Lingaraja takes a dip in the Bindu Sagar pond.
7. Shitalashastha (May and June). The wedding celebrations of Shiva and Parvati taking place in Sambalpur and Bhubaneswar.
8. Rath Yatra (June and July). The largest and grandest of the festivals of Orissa. Gigantic images of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra make a sacred journey from the Jagannath Temple to Gundicha Mandir in Puri.
9. Badi Yatra (Nov and Dec). Dedicated to the travels of Orissa traders to Indonesia. Takes place during the full moon on the banks of the Mahanadi River in Cuttack.
10. Konarak Festival (early December). A classical dance festival where dance forms from Orissa and other states of India are showcased at the Sun Temple in Konark.

Orissa not a tourist state at all. White travelers come here on their Indian circumnavigation, on their way from Varanasi, Bihar or Kolkata V Madras. As a rule, Europeans limit themselves to visiting Puri, Konark and Bhubaneswar. Some go on a short trip to the south of the state in the lands adivasis- ancient, preserving the archaic traditional way of life and customs of the tribes inhabiting the hills of Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri.

Orissa, but it’s more correct to speak and write Odisha). In November 2010, the Indian Parliament, wiping away traces of the colonial past, approved a new, historically and linguistically more correct name. Odisha comes from Sanskrit Odra Vishaya or Odra Desa - people of Odra. This is exactly what Ptolemy, ancient Chinese travelers, Buddhist chronicles and Muslim sources called these lands in their chronicles. Personally, I find the old name much nicer - it’s more romantic and feminine.

Orissa famous for the legendary Temples and caves of the southern mountains. IN Orissa vibrant and wonderful cuisine, replete with fish and seafood, a unique school of Odissi dance, painting and engraving on palm leaves and the famous Cuttack filigree silver. IN Orissa the largest lake in Asia, the only one inhabited by freshwater dolphins. Endless sandy beaches and roaring waves of the Bay of Bengal, many legendary ancient temples, the hills of the Eastern Ghats, inhabited by ancient exotic primitive tribes. Orissa- not a tourist state at all, but for those who want to see the real India and make real discoveries, for those who prefer the adventure and exciting format when traveling, Orissa will exceed all your wildest expectations.

Ancient Orissa, Odra Desa, was inhabited by Dravidian tribes, many of which still preserved traditional life and rituals. The most famous episode of ancient history Orissa associated with Ashoka, the emperor of the Ganga dynasty, and the war with the Kalinga Empire. In 261 BC, Ashoka won a bloody victory over Kalinga and, shocked by the horrors of war, adopted Buddhism and the concept of non-violence, which was immortalized in the famous rock paintings Edicts of Ashoka. Buddhism turned out to be not a completely suitable ideology for governing the empire, and during Ashoka’s lifetime the empire declined and collapsed. The new flourishing of Orissa is associated with the name of Emperor Karavela, during whose reign the famous cave temples were built. Famous in Puri and founded in the reign of Emperor Yayati Kesari, who united the empires of Kosala and Utkala and moved the capital to the lands of Orissa.

The Last Hindu King Orissa was killed in the battle of Gohiratikiri by the Mughal Empire in 1576. Muslims divided the lands of Orissa into six administrative districts. The British took control of Orissa in 1761 and in the 19th century they stubbornly fought against human sacrifice in the cults of local tribes. It should be noted that it was very successful.

I. Russia – India

India is one of the oldest surviving civilizations. Outstanding minds of the last century spoke about the coming harmonious combination of the ancient wisdom of India with the creative energy of the historically young people of Russia (USSR):

With you Vivekananda- an outstanding Indian philosopher and public figure, said: “Russia will become a leader and lead the whole world, but India will show it the way.” His works indicate that the future revival of the planet will begin with Russia.

E. I. Roerich said: “The prosperity of Russia is the guarantee of prosperity and peace for the whole world. The death of Russia is the death of the whole world.”

N.K. Roerich called India the spiritual sister of Russia.

Mahatma Gandhi: “Russia will save the world, but India will show it the way.”

The movement of Russia and India towards each other is a movement towards own origins:

The ancestors of the majority of the population of North and Central India were arias who began migrating to Hindustan from the territory of what is now Russia and Central Asia in the 2nd millennium BC.

The first European to reach the shores of India was a Russian man, a Tver merchant Afanasy Nikitin.

India is a natural geopolitical ally of Russia. Over the centuries, there have never been any conflicts, no contradictions, no clashes of interests between them, but only instinctively - a deep craving for each other.

II. Blessed Orissa

The uniqueness of Orissa is as follows:

1. The Teachings of Shambhala were heard for the first time in Orissa – Kalachakra Tantra, which not only can, but also should be considered not only as a technique for achieving enlightenment (Buddhahood), but also as teaching about a happy family at the level of the entire civilization. The man who returned the Teachings of Shambhala to the people was the Indian master Chilipa from Orissa. He traveled a lot in search of Shambhala and spent long hours thinking about it and Kalachakra. As a result, in 966 he returned to India, having received one of the highest initiations and becoming one of the greatest experts in tantra outside of Shambhala. As clear evidence of his visit to the “land of saints,” he brought with him scrolls with the “Great Commentary” of the sandpiper Pundarika, one of the rulers of Shambhala, to the Kalachakra Tantra. If you look at this teaching without monastic attitudes, its essence will lie in the harmonious union of two principles, that is, male and female. Translated from Sanskrit, “ Fenugreek" means "source of happiness". From the point of view of the development of all human civilization, personal and family happiness is the main thing. Without procreation, any civilization quickly dies out. Living in the modern world, having a family and working on oneself to build harmonious relationships, a person does no less spiritual work than a Himalayan monk who passed away from the world.

2. Orissa– this is part of the ancient kingdom Kalinga. First Indian Emperor Ashoka after the conquest of this country he accepted Buddhism with its main idea of ​​harmony and non-violence. In 261 BC, Ashoka invaded and subjugated Kalinga. But this victory came at the cost of such terrible bloodshed that the king changed his beliefs, accepted Buddhism and preached peace and non-violence for the rest of his life. The remains of Ashoka's pillar, built in Orissa, on which his edicts and instructions to the people were carved, have today been converted into a Shiva linga at the Bhaskareshwara temple in the State capital. And the lion capital of Ashoka (which is the coat of arms of modern India) crowning this column is now in the State Museum. At Dhauli, which is off the main road to Puri, there is a rock edict of Ashoka commemorating the battle of 260 BC. BC, which gave the emperor power over the eastern seaports and later allowed his missionaries to spread Buddhism (the state religion of Ashoka) throughout Asia. In my time Ashoka's grandfather– Chandragupta served Alexander the Great. After the death of Alexander in Babylon in 323 BC, Chandragupta won the throne of Magadha - an ancient country in India, on the coast of the Indian Ocean, part of its territory today occupies the state of Orissa. At the end of his life, Chandragupta renounced the throne and accepted asceticism, ending his life from self-starvation.

3. Vladimir- the ancient capital of Rus' and Bhubaneshwar- the current capital of the state of Orissa have a general meaning of names associated with the possession of the world: Vladimir means "Owning the world", A Bhuvaneshwar - "Lord of the World". Work is underway between Vladimir and Bhubaneshwar to formalize the status of these cities as sister cities.

4. Orissa is one of the most revered sacred places of Hindus. It can be called the heart of India, it has preserved the most ancient traditions of this country.

5. There are versions that Jesus Christ visited Orissa and studied in Puri at the Jaganath Temple ("Creator of the Universe"), which is one of the four most revered temples in India:

In 1894, a Russian journalist Nikolay Notovich published a mysterious and daring book entitled " The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ", in which he outlined the contents of an ancient manuscript he found in 1888, stored in a Buddhist Hemis Monastery located in North India, in Ladakh, which is part of Kashmir. Ladakh is the western part of the Tibetan plateau and is closed by the highest mountain ranges of our planet - the Main Himalayan Range from the south and the Karakarum from the north. Translated into Russian, the mysterious manuscript was called “The Life of Saint Issa - the best of the sons of men.” It was a manuscript in the Pali language, translated, in turn, from Sanskrit. Copies of this manuscript were in the palace of the Dalai Lama and in several monasteries, including Hemis, which Nikolai Notovich was lucky enough to reach in 1887. The Russian journalist, naturally, wanted to see this document, but the lama flatly refused. However, it so happened that when Notovich was already leaving the monastery, he fell from his horse and injured his leg. He was forced to return and a lama began to look after him. Wanting to somehow console his guest, the lama brought him the desired manuscript. Notovich also managed to find a translator and wrote down the whole story of Issa from his words. It was on the basis of these recordings that he published his book.

It should be noted that in the Koran Christ is called Issa, and in general, “Isha” is the root of the Sanskrit word “Ishvara”, which literally means “Supreme Commander”. It is no coincidence that this word is present in the name of the capital of Orissa, the city of Bhuvaneshwar (“Lord of the World”). From an ancient manuscript found by Notovich, it is clear that Jesus studied the sacred books of India (the Vedas) for six years and also taught others, including in Puri. It was there that his philosophy began to take shape. He saw that Vedic knowledge is of great value, but can be misused. Thus, the Brahmin priests exploited the lower classes, especially the Shudras, by preaching that Vedic knowledge was only for the upper classes. Jesus took upon himself the task of rectifying the situation and began to spread Vedic knowledge among the Shudras. Thus began his activity as a religious reformer. Then, driven by a desire for revenge, the Brahmins of the present state of Orissa hatched a conspiracy to kill Jesus. There were several attempts on Jesus' life that failed. As a result, he left Puri never to return there. Jesus then traveled to Nepal. There, high in the Himalayas, he spent another six years teaching spiritual science. Then he went to Persia, where he opposed the concept of two gods: the god of good and the god of evil. “There is only one God,” Jesus taught, “and that is our Father in heaven.” The manuscript found by Notovich also stated that Issa’s grave was also located in India.

The next person to alert the world to the existence of the Issa manuscript was Abhedananda Swami- student Ramakrishna(1836 - 1886) - one of the most revered religious leaders in India. Another disciple of Ramakrishna was Swami Vivikananda, who said that " Russia will become a leader and lead the whole world, but India will show it the way" Abhedananda Swami was familiar with Notovich's book, but he did not believe it. In 1922, he himself went to the Himalayas and visited that same Buddhist monastery. Imagine his surprise when he saw this manuscript with his own eyes, and when he asked to translate it into Bengali (his native language), its contents were practically no different from the book of the Russian journalist. Abhedananda Swami wrote about his journey in the book " From Kashmir to Tibet".

However, skeptics still remained in the West, since both Notovich and Abhedananda did not know Pali and used only translations. This issue has been resolved once and for all Nicholas Konstantinovich Roerich and his eldest son Yuri. The latter was a famous linguist who knew several dozen languages ​​and dialects. IN 1925 They also saw and translated " Tibetan Gospel", about which records were preserved in the diaries of the expedition and in its subsequently published materials. N.K. Roerich wrote in the book “ Altai-Himalayas» about stay Jesus Christ in Tibet and India: “The Buddhist monastery preserves the teachings of Jesus, and the lamas pay respect to Jesus, who passed here and taught. If anyone doubts too much the existence of such documents about the life of Christ in Asia, then he does not imagine how widespread the Nestorians were in their time and how many so-called apocryphal legends they spread in ancient times. And how much truth the apocrypha contains! The lamas know that Jesus, walking through India and the Himalayas, addressed not the Brahmins and Kshatriyas, but the Shudras - the toilers and the downtrodden. The records of the lamas remember how Jesus exalted the woman - the Mother of the World. The lamas point out how Jesus viewed so-called miracles negatively. The records of the lamas say that Jesus was not killed by the Jewish people, but by representatives of the Roman government. The empire and the rich - the capitalists - killed the Great Communist, who brought light to both the working people and the poor. The path of the feat of Light!

American author Levi H. Dowling's mid-19th century book The Gospel of Jesus Christ of the Age of Aquarius also states that Jesus Christ was in Puri, where he was invited by a certain prince from Orissa named Ravanna, who traveled the world in search of wisdom. Jesus is accepted as a student at the above-mentioned Jagannath temple, where he studies the Vedas and the basic laws of Hinduism. Jesus spends 4 years in the Jagannath temple, not only as a disciple, but also, in turn, explaining to the brahmins his understanding of truth, wisdom, salvation and faith. Perhaps, indeed, in Puri, in the Jagannath Temple, ancient Hinduism and early Christianity intersected, both of which have the same main idea - “God is Love.”

The Kashmir hypothesis states that after the crucifixion, Jesus returned to India. German journalist A. Faber-Kaiser was so confident in the correctness of this hypothesis that he wrote a fascinating book “ Jesus died in Kashmir”, which tells that after the crucifixion Jesus remained alive and again went to the East, this time under the name Yuz Azaf. After settling in Kashmir, Jesus married, lived a long life and died a natural death at an old age. The Jewish community in Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, has maintained a reverent attitude towards the crypt for generations, believing that Jesus is buried there.

Another German author Holger Kersten in his book " Jesus lived in India(2006) provided a wealth of theological, archaeological and historical evidence, reconstructing the unknown life of Jesus before and after his crucifixion. The author is trying to understand who this person really was, where he came from and where he went. Really, what did Jesus do between the ages of 12 and 30? There is no information about this in the Gospels, and yet every year of a person who changed the history of the entire planet is worthy of the closest attention and study.

6. Buddha's first disciples two merchants became from Orissa- Tapussa and Bhallukha.

7. Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity are intertwined in Orissa.

8. With thriving seaports on the coast, Orissa already carried throughout Southeast Asia from the 5th century BC achievements brilliant Indian civilization. It is believed that first king of Ceylon Vijaya was originally from Orissa.

9. Capital city of Orissa Bhubaneswar- an important center of Hindu pilgrimage. It is often called " temple capital of india" Almost for two thousand years– in the period from the 3rd century BC to the 16th century AD, it was built more than 7000 Hindu temples. Today, only about 500 of them have survived. The main temple of Bhubaneswar is dedicated to Shiva, as you can guess even from its name - Shivalinga. The very name of the city, “Lord of the World,” is an epithet of Shiva. In the Hindu religion, the lingam or phallus, or the male reproductive organ in the erection stage, is a symbol of the creative power of the universe, a symbol of the inevitable triumph of life over death. Briefly, the essence of Hinduism is the phrase “ god is love“, but not only and not so much eroticism and sexuality, but the love of children for parents and parents for a child, the love of a man for a woman, a wife for her husband, a servant for a master, love for nature. Moreover, in love between woman and man Tenderness, reverence, and purity of feelings come to the fore.

10. Orissa – birthplace of Odissi dance, or otherwise Orissi. Orissa was famous for its dancers, who created a special style of dance that still exists today. Nowadays, annual Odissi/Orissi dance festivals are held - an amazing and unique spectacle.

11. IN Orissa not only the cultural, but also economic cooperation between Russia and India in particular in the field of production titanium and other metals used in space and other fields. As is known, Titans- gods of the first generation, born from the marriage of the land of Gaia and the sky of Uranus. The name "titans" is of pre-Greek origin and is associated with solar heat or dominion, i.e. it is no coincidence that the Temple of the Sun God was built in Orissa at Kanorak, and its capital was named Bhubaneswar, which means "Lord of the World." If we delve deeper into the origins of our civilization, which grew out of Sumer, then the very name “Titan” comes from the Sumerian word T.TI.AN, which has two meanings - “Breath of Life of Anu” (the sons of Anu are the Nephilim), as well as “Spirits of the Stars” (Star People).

III. Holy city of Puri

Jagonath Temple in Puri

1. In Puri, located on the shores of the Indian Ocean, there is one of the four most revered temples in India, dedicated to the god Jaganath and bearing his name. Built in the 11th – 13th centuries AD, i.e. during the formation period Vladimir Rus'. God Jaganath - " Creator of the Universe" - one of the manifestations of God Krishna, who revealed to the world the doctrine of Yoga at Kurukshetra.

2. Every year in Puri chariot festival or Ratha Yatra, which is one of the the most ancient holidays on the planet. Its age, according to the Vedic scriptures, is at least 5000 years old, although representatives of modern Indology place the beginning of the tradition in the 3rd century BC. The procession of chariots symbolizes the return of Krishna as Jaganath, as well as His brother Balarama and His sister Subhadra in Vrindavan where he spent his childhood. Up to a million people take part in the festival. For many years in a row this holiday has been held in Vladimir, whose name, like Jaganath, means “Owner of the World.” The procession through the streets of Vladimir is accompanied by the singing of Vedic hymns and the throwing of fruits and sweets from the chariot. According to tradition, the Ratha Yatra is timed to coincide with the Day of Indian Culture, held annually in Vladimir. For the procession of a decorated Chariot with a tent about 7 meters high, on which the altar of the Lord of the Universe is erected, the authorities provide an alley in the central park. In Russia, in addition to large cities, Ratha Yatras are held even in Caucasus, which, according to the organizers of the holiday, should contribute to civil reconciliation in the region.

3. Many believe that Puri is one of the cities where one finds salvation (moksha puri) and is believed to be one of the abodes of God on Earth.

Palace of the Maharaja in Puri

4. In the Maharaja's Palace you can see a huge portrait of the Maharaja of Kerala, made by our compatriot Nicholas Roerich.

5. In past, Puri was a center of Buddhist pilgrimage who came to honor buddha tooth.

6. Today there is a popular balneological resort here.

IV. Sun Temple in Konark

33 kilometers from Puri and 66 km. from the capital of Orissa, Bhubaneshwar, there is the town of Konarak, where the famous Sun (Surya) Temple is located, considered one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the world and included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1984:

Sun Temple in Konark, or Black Pagoda, as Europeans used to call it, is considered the highest achievement of architecture in the state of Orissa and a masterpiece of world significance. “Konarak” in Sanskrit means “corner of the sun”, that is, the corner of Orissa where the Sun God is worshiped.

The temple resembles a giant chariot in which the sun god, Surya, travels across the sky from east to west every day. At the base of the chariot, which is a platform four meters thick, is carved 24 big wheels, 12 with one and 12 on the other side of the chariot. Some argue that the wheels are intended to symbolize 24 hours, components of the day, others - that this is a reminder of 12 months of the year. Originally there were statues in front of the temple seven horses - by number of days in a week. Every April, the Temple hosts a chariot festival called Ashokashtami.

The chief architect and chief sculptor was Sadasiv Samantaray Mahapatra, a local resident, like most of the craftsmen.

Like the temple complex at Khajuraho, the Sun Temple at Konarak is called the "temple of love" in guidebooks because of its bas-reliefs dedicated to the theme of revealing love. Both people and gods on the walls of the temple are busy either with love or with preparation for it. In their stone message from the depths of centuries there is a clear thought - earthly love is pleasing to the gods. Erotic sculptures adorn many of the temples of Orissa, built in the 10th–13th centuries. At that time, Tantrism with its erotic rituals influenced all branches of Hinduism, and Orissa is one of the most sacred cities of many followers of this religion. On the other hand, the erotic bas-reliefs of the Sun Temple do not fit very well with Tantra, if we proceed from the tantric assumption of cosmic unity, macrocosm and microcosm, achieved during sexual intercourse between a man and a woman. Scenes of group sex, as well as the presence of servants supporting the main participants in the action, do not meet the main goal of this tantric ritual - the transformation of a man and a woman into one motionless energy exchange unit with the transition of both into a certain mental state. It is likely that the decoration of the Sun Temple in Konarak and the temples in Khajuraho reflected something else, perhaps secret, known only to a narrow group of people. It is possible that for some reason they decided to display secret teachings on the walls of temples or to give a sign to their descendants. No one really knows why the temple was erected in this particular place, but it is known that even before the construction of the temple began, this place was considered sacred. Perhaps this is one of the places where ancient powerful energy is concentrated, capable of awakening both dormant spiritual abilities and giving a powerful impulse to the renewal and restoration of the human body?

God Surya in boots

The most banal thing would be to present these bas-reliefs as the people of that time’s idea of ​​happiness, health, youth, and even worse - the life and morals of the royal court. But then why did all this need to be depicted on the walls of temples? Moreover, the figures were not only made with great skill, but their creators were also distinguished by sense of humor. For example, one bas-relief depicts Three women, each in its own way pleasing the standing man, who chose the method of stimulating their ingenuity that remained unsurpassed - in his raised hand he held bag of money.

Indian scientists talk about the influence on the architecture of the Sun Temple sun-worshipping Scythian cultures, who came to Northern India in the 1st century and revived the Vedic cult of the Sun in India, which had been forgotten by that time. Historians are surprised boots the god of the Sun - similar ones were worn by the Scythians.

In connection with the Scythian trace in the architecture of the Sun Temple, the very name of the founder of Buddhism, who was from the kshatriya (warrior) class, deserves closer attention. Buddha Shakyamuni was born from the Indo-Aryan (Scythian) tribe Sakyev Shakya (Sakya) is the name of the clan, muni is the sage. Thus, Shakyamuni (Sakyaminu) is translated as a sage from the family of Shakya (Sakya).

The effeminate figure of the god Surya, like the bas-reliefs of the Egyptian pharaoh-reformer Akhenaten that have come down to us, speak of their reaching a level of creation that goes beyond the duality in which this world exists. This is the integration in one’s consciousness of two great inseparable principles of the Universe.

The height of the Temple was at least 70 meters (as a symbol of eternal love, the mausoleum Taj Mahal). Apparently it was not for nothing that the upper part of the sanctuary was a round flat stone, and the Kalash dome was completed by a stone vase (bowl). The stone and the bowl have always been symbols of high service to the evolution of human consciousness. As confirmation of their high mission, the Roerichs received from the Himalayan White Brotherhood and Chintamani stone– the gift of Orion and the Buddha Cup, containing high-frequency psychic energy.

The vault of the Sun Temple in Konarak is supported by iron beams more than 10 meters long, which has not been touched by rust for 700 years. Many people admire Iron column in Delhi in Qutub Minar, but its height is slightly less than 7 meters. The ancient secret of smelting stainless iron, known to our ancestors, has not yet been revealed by us.

Territory of the present state Orissa(capital - city Bhubaneswar) is part of the ancient Kalinga kingdom. In 261 B.C. Kalinga was conquered by the cruel king Ashok. But Kalinga defeated the winner - soon Ashok, pacified by the local nature and life, accepted Buddhism and became a follower of pacifism.

The 7th-13th century was the heyday of architecture for Kalinga, surviving examples of which are scattered throughout the state today. Orissa gained independence in 1936. Today it is mainly an agricultural area, with many small villages and local "holy people". Mining is also developed here. Two-thirds of Orissa's territory is Precambrian rocks containing many minerals, including chromium, iron, vanadium, dolomite, granite, etc.

The best time to visit is between October and March. During this period, the weather here is very pleasant and conducive to travel and relaxation. This is also the time when millions of migratory birds come here from the north to build nests in the forests and lakes of Orissa. The highest temperature is in May-July. At the beginning of autumn there are several weeks of heavy rains.

Orissa stretches along the Bay of Bengal and its coastline is 482 km long. The beaches of Orissa are famous for having the best white sands in the world.

Puri

Beach Puri- one of the four holiest places in India. And one of the peaks of the Golden Triangle of Orissa. But today, its golden sands and the crashing waves of the Bay of Bengal attract not only pilgrims, but also tourists from everywhere. The best time to visit is early November. At this time, the traditional Puri festival is held here. Catamaran rides are popular here.

Balighai

The beach is located 8 km from Puri, at the confluence of the Nuanai River into the Bay of Bengal. Surrounded by casuarina grove. There is a research center nearby that studies sea turtles.

Konark

Konark is famous throughout the world for its unique Sun Temple (13th century), which attracts pilgrims from all over the world. Every year in December, a dance festival is held near it in a specially built open theater. The event brings together classical dancers from all over India.

Konark is a calmer beach than Puri, but the waters here are more unpredictable, even experienced swimmers must be careful.

Gopalpur

The most popular place for water sports enthusiasts. In the past - a seaport, Gopalpur is an ideal beach for sailing and catamaran trips and is surrounded by the ruins of ancient port buildings. Today, colorful dance evenings and parties are held in former warehouses that last until the morning. The beach is favored by wealthy Bengalis from Kolkata.

Recently, with the increase in the flow of tourists, Gopalpur is being rebuilt. New luxury hotels are being built here, the number of souvenir sellers is increasing, and numerous restaurants are opening. But the beach is not yet crowded with vacationers.

Chandipur

Another famous resort of Orissa. This is a unique beach where twice a day the water retreats 5 kilometers during low tide and then returns to its original position. So here you can watch the sea disappear before your eyes. The low tide leaves behind shells, crabs and other marine life, which are always interesting to look at. The beach is surrounded by sand dunes and casuarina thickets.

If you are tired of sunbathing or swimming in the sea, you can rent a fishing boat and go on a one-day trip along the bay until the Budhabalanga River flows into it. They also offer jeep rides, and professional troupes regularly stage dance performances for vacationers.

Paradip

Paradip is a major seaport playing an important role in Indian trade. The beach is surrounded by coniferous forests. The Mahanadi River delta is home to many picturesque islands and cool streams. A great place for boat trips.

After breakfast, departure for an excursion to Konark - a small town on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, famous throughout the world for its huge chariot temple of the deity Surya.

Small settlement Konarak famous famous Sun temple complex, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Now this is not a functioning temple, so non-Hindus can enter its territory. Of the two parts of the sanctuary, only the eastern part has survived - the building of a columned hall for ritual dances in front of the entrance to the main temple.

A group of seven galloping horses and 24 carved chariots (each wheel is about 3 meters in diameter), preserved on the sides of the raised platform, indicate that the temple was designed in the form of a colossal chariot of the Sun God - Surya. All images on the walls of the complex, its proportions and orientation are deeply symbolic and subordinated to astronomical phenomena with the highest precision. The Sun Temple, like the temples of Khajuraho, is decorated with images of many loving couples united in candid poses.
The temple building was once decorated with a 60-meter-high tower. The temple tower served as a beacon for European sailors setting off from the coast of Orissa 100 years ago. They called the temple "Black Pagoda". Today it is a pile of ruins. There is an official version about the collapse of this tower and the temple itself as a result of another hurricane, of which there are many here every year. However, it is surprising that from the 13th century to the 19th century, not a single hurricane could shake this grandiose structure. The legend says that inside the temple there were huge magnets that additionally attracted the iron brackets in the stone blocks of the walls to each other. The English colonialists took these magnets to Britain, after which the first hurricane easily destroyed this stunning masterpiece of the architecture of thought. And metal brackets can still be seen in the cracks of the temple walls.

• Every year in December, a major Indian classical dance festival is held in Konark., which takes place against the backdrop of this temple complex. Modern dancers who perform Mahari dances in public and at religious festivals are not temple servants (as this is prohibited under modern Indian laws). They are not betrothed to the Deity and are not allowed into the main sanctuary, but they do so to learn and preserve the tradition of dance. Real The Maharis were consummate teachers of their art. There was a custom in which the Maharis adopted girls and taught them dance service at the temple. Thus, the dance maintained artistic purity and holiness for 600 years. The English colonialists forbade Mahari to dance in temples, equating them to prostitutes, as a result of which the cult of Mahari began to degenerate.

Visit villages of fishermen, stone carvers and potters. On the way back to Puri visit villages of artists and craftsmen Raghurajpur. The master artisans of this village specialize in the art of Pata Chitra - the art of painting with bright colors on palm leaves and fabrics. They keep secrets that have been passed down from father to son since ancient times. This art reached its peak in the 16th century. It was this painting technique that influenced the formation of the written language of the Oriya language. You can wander around, admire the beautiful paintings on the walls of the houses, chat with friendly craftsmen and watch how they create Pata Chitra (paintings on fabric), palm leaf prints, small sculptures made of stone and wood, toys and souvenirs from coconut, jute and wood.

• For an additional fee, you can pre-book a private Gotipua dance performance ($210 per group), which exists only in Orissa. This typeThe dance is performed only by boys dressed and decorated like girl dancers.Once upon a timeThe alchiks learned the art of this dance from the Mahari temple dancers, but gradually, unlike the Maharis, their performances became available to the public, while the real Maharis disappeared.