“Behind every young child who believes in himself is a parent who believed first.” –Matthew Jacobson.
Parents play a significant role in a child’s life; they can build an ethical & strong character as a person through their parenting ways. Raising a child can be a handful if you ignore their upbringing from the very start point of their life. Most parents are concerned about their children’s academics and extracurricular activities, such as ensuring that their children go to school, do their schoolwork, and arrive on time for sports practice or any other classes. But, all too often, we neglect to devote time and energy to cultivating another aspect of a child’s growth and development—one that is essential to being a decent person. Good Parenting also includes How to raise a well-behaved child. We understand that raising a child can be one of the most challenging and rewarding tasks in the world and one for which you may feel unprepared.
Here are some good parenting tips to help you feel more fulfilled as a parent and understand the importance of raising a child.
Increasing Your Child’s Self-Confidence
When children experience themselves via their parents’ eyes, they establish a sense of self. Your children pick up on your tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions. More than anything else, your words and actions as a parent impact their developing self-esteem.
No matter how minor, praise efforts and letting children do things independently will make them feel strong. Belittling remarks or unfair comparisons of one youngster to another make children feel worthless.
Make sure you’re not making any loaded statements or using words as a weapon. Comments such as “What a silly thing to do!” or “You act more like a baby than your small brother!” can be as damaging as physical strikes for even smart kids.
Encourage your child to be empathic.
One of the most critical attributes in good people is compassion and sensitivity, or the ability to put oneself in another’s shoes and consider their thoughts and experiences. According to studies, having a high emotional quotient—understanding one’s own and others’ feelings—is a significant component of life success.
Please encourage your child to communicate their worries and make sure they understand you care about their sentiments to help them develop empathy. When you disagree with a friend, urge them to envision how their friend feels and show them how to manage their emotions and strive toward a peaceful conclusion to become a happy kid.
Set boundaries and stick to your discipline
In every household, discipline is required not just in children but in adults and parents as well. It is intended to assist children in selecting appropriate behavior and developing self-control. They may test the boundaries you set for them, but they need those boundaries to mature into responsible people. For example, if You ask your children not to watch TV late at night but you do the same for yourself will result negatively instead follow the same until your child is grown to a decent age to understand the same.
Setting house rules assists children in understanding and developing self-control. No TV until homework is completed, and no hitting, name-calling, or nasty teasing are permitted.
You may want to implement a system that includes a single warning, followed by repercussions such as a “time out” or the loss of privileges. Failure to follow through with the implications is a common blunder made by parents. You can’t punish children for speaking up one day and ignoring them the next. Consistency teaches what you want to learn.
Be a role model for them
Every child looks up to their parents as a role models, when to thank when to say sorry, and how to accept mistakes are things that are built by seeing their parents. Even if your youngster isn’t observing, think about how you communicate with others like do you ever say “Thank you” or “Please” to other people for services? Do you avoid complaining about your acquaintances or workmates? Do you courteously address staff? You have a direct impact on your children’s personalities. If you want to raise a child who knows how to respect others, model your behavior after your child.
Assign Responsibilities to Them
You can offer your child more responsibility for their chores as they get older. You can also let your youngsters experience the natural repercussions of their actions. It makes them alert & responsible for their task in their daily routine. If your child is in charge of their school bag and forgets to put the subject notebook, the child must face the logical consequence.
Value communication
Kids will begin to question our beliefs and reasons if we do not make an effort to explain them to them. Reasoning with their children allows them to comprehend and learn nonjudgmentally.
The common question that arises in every parent’s mind like; Is raising a child easy? It might be, but if you want to raise a good child, it can be tricky & accountable work. But with solid support & helping hand like Pragyanam school, this mission of raising a child can result in success.
Our motive is always focused on the overall development of children. So that their future shine like stars, but the successful kidshould also be well aware of the value of morale & respect in their life.
Good habits formed in kids make all the difference.
Wasn’t it until pandemic we all took handwashing like a normal thing and not knowing its impact in the real life? But after this situation we all have been profound to know that handwashing is the one of most important daily routine that has to be built in our kids’ regular life not because there might be any virus but our basic health issues start right from our hands.
Handwashing for kids is a good habit that helps them sustain good health and excellent manner. It is vital that a parent understands the significance of hand hygiene and develop a routine to practice this with their children from early childhood. Once they adapt this custom, it will help them forever to maintain strong immunity. Otherwise, there are so many diseases caused by not washing hands that can affect your children, such as:
Noroviruses
Norovirus causes viral gastroenteritis in persons of all ages. It spreads when people don’t wash their hands, and it’s especially concerning because it may spread swiftly among big groups of people in close quarters.
Nosocomial infections
MRSA and E. coli are two of the most frequent nosocomial illnesses spread by germs and bacteria on our hands.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A causes severe symptoms such as liver issues, jaundice, abdominal pain, fever, and exhaustion. It’s usually spread through food that’s been tainted by persons preparing it who haven’t cleaned their hands after using the restroom or are eating without handwashing.
Airborne illnesses
Respiratory infections are typically conveyed through droplets inhaled, sneezed, or coughed into the air by an infected person. While sneezing and coughing contribute to the transmission of illness, improper handwashing methods are also a significant factor.
Now you can see more clearly the importance of washing hands for kids.
Washing your hands — either with soap and water or hand sanitiser – may appear to be a minor task, but it can significantly influence your good health.
Michael Sebert, M.D., Medical Director for Infection Prevention and Control at Children’s HealthSM and Associate Professor at UT Southwestern, says, “Hand cleanliness is a crucial lifetime practice for remaining healthy.” “It’s a technique to lower our risk of getting infections like colds, flu, other respiratory viruses, and gastrointestinal illnesses.”
According to the CDC, Handwashing can protect one out of every three young children who have diarrhoea and one out of every five young children who gets pneumonia.
Hand hygiene helps you avoid contracting germs, enabling you to avoid transferring them to others, especially those more prone to disease.
If you think we all wash our hands daily, what is the proper way of washing hands? To resolve this dilemma below, we have stated NHS recommended 7 steps of hand hygiene that enlight you about protecting your children from germs & harmful diseases:
First Step: Soak your hands and work up a good lather with liquid soap. The water should be between 35 and 45 degrees Celsius.
Second Step: Cleanse your skin together in a circular manner, palm to palm. Rotate in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction.
Third Step: Rub the back of your left hand with your right palm as your fingers are linked through the other hand. Then switch.
Four Step: Make clasped hands by linking your fingers together, facing each other, rub your palms and fingers together after that.
Fifth Step: With your right hand and left hand under, cup your fingers together, rub the backs of your fingers on your palms with your fingers interlocked. Then switch.
Sixth Step: Rotate your left thumb while enclosing your right hand around it, then exchange.
Seventh Step: Circularly roll your fingers over your left palm, then switch.
After that, thoroughly rinse with warm running water and dry with a clean, disposable paper towel. The most hygienic approach to drying your hands is paper towels; however, automatic hand dryers can also be utilized in some places. If you use then avoid touching any part of the hand dryer with your clean hands to avoid transmitting bacteria back onto them. Similarly, never dry your hands with a reused towel since they might harbour deadly levels of bacteria that migrate back onto your hands.
At Home, preschool & Day daycare, “Why wash hands for 20 seconds” rules should apply to generate a healthy habit ofhandwashing for kids. Only good practice can make a difference in your child’s life, whether hand hygiene, sleeping routine, or food habits. Individually they appear to have some minor regular habits that parent thought would come on schedule as time pass, but this is a big mistake. Do you ever notice that your childhood habits never change even now as an adult than how your child’s habits will regulate automatically?
At Footprints Education, as your parenting partner, we try to develop good habits in your children, whether taste bud development, sleeping schedule or regular handwashing, etc. by simply following our program at home, parents can integrate these future building habits in their children.
India is a land of enormous diversity, not just geographically but also culturally. Every Indian area developed its own culture. Music, like cuisine, language (dialects), and customs, has always been an important component of the culture and traditions that have arisen from our country’s ethnic heritage. As a result, traditional music is now referred to as folk music or popular music.
Once in a blue moon, a song emerges that is so unique and refreshing that it sounds nothing like typical Bollywood music. It reminds you of the culture that we, as Indians, hold so dear. It unites the country with voices that have influenced cultural change and are powerful enough to move your soul.
Folk songs have a deep significance behind their words and can link you to your spirit through the music. Throughout history, Bollywood has witnessed a variety of folk singers who have won the hearts of people with their incredible voice and melody.
Let’s look at a some of the great Indian folk singers that have blessed us with their wonderful voices.
When it comes to Bollywood folk music, Ila Arun’s name is almost certainly the first to come to mind. She is a prominent Indian actress, TV personality, and Rajasthani folk-pop singer with a unique, husky voice and a predilection for folk-pop fusion. She is originally from Jaipur, Rajasthan.Ila Arun has lent her vocals to a slew of hit tunes. Ringa Ringa from Slumdog Millionaire’s Oscar-winning record is one of her many achievements.Choli ke peeche kya hai? and Morni Baga ma bole with Lata Mangeshkar are two of her most popular songs.
2. The Wadali Brothers
When it comes to Punjabi folk singing, it’s impossible to overlook The Wadali Brothers.Puranchand Wadali and Pyarelal Wadali, both from Guru Ki Wadali in the Amritsar District, have the ability to impact your spirit with their strong vocals. The Sufi singing duo has lent their vocals to songs from Pinjar and Tanu Weds Manu, in addition to enhancing the audience with their folk melodies.Puran Chand studied music with renowned Patiala Gharana masters such as Pandit Durga Das and Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. Pyarelal received his training from his elder brother, whom he regarded as his guru and mentor till his death (2018 due to a cardiac arrest).The Wadali Brothers sing in a variety of genres, including Gurbani, Kafi, Ghazal, and Bhajan, as well as other soulful genres.
With their brilliant voices, Jyoti and Sultana Nooran have the ability to light up a room.The Nooran sisters are the grandchildren of late Sufi singer Bibi Nooran from the 1970s. They are Sufi folk musicians who were trained by their father, Ustad Gulshan Mir. He often appears in concerts with them. The sisters were featured on Coke Studio in 2012 for the song ‘Allah Hoo,’ which led to them singing a song (Ptakha Guddi) for A.R. Rahman in “Highway” in 2014, which launched them into Bollywood. Ever since then, they’ve had a string of hits with films like Sultan, Dangal, and Dum Laga Ke Haisha.
The sisters were discovered on the TV show ‘Nikki Awaz Punjab Di,’ and they quickly rose to fame, performing Sufi music in India and around the world. Based in Jalandhar, they continue to grow in popularity with their traditional Sufi songs inspired by mystical and legendary folk tales.
4. Papon
Papon hails from Assam, India, and is an Indian singer, producer, and composer. Angararg Mahanta is his real name. He is the lead singer of Papon, a folk-fusion band, and the owner of East India Company. Folk music is Papon’s passion. Prior to becoming a household name, Papon made significant contributions to Indian folk-fusion, and his sweet voice enchanted everyone.He has a number of hit songs to his name, including Moh Moh ke Dhage from the film Dum Laga ke Haisha, Labon ka Karobaar from Befikre, and Jiyen Kyun in Dum Maro Dum.Papon has performed with numerous international musicians on worldwide tours, including the paleo music festival in Switzerland, the Jakarta international java jazz festival, and the mosaic music festival in Singapore, in addition to his contribution to Bollywood.
5. Raghu Dixit
Raghupathi Dwarakanath Dixit is the frontman for the Raghu Dixit Project, a multilingual folk music band, and is an Indian singer-songwriter, producer, and film score composer. Raghu Dixit’s Raghu Dixit Project is a place where musicians and artists of many genres may join together, collaborate, and create a dynamic sound and expression.
Raghu’s music is a seamless synthesis of Indian ethnic music and influences from throughout the globe. His lyrics, while powerful, are straightforward and speak to the feelings and experiences of the average person, making his songs highly popular among his audience. Raghu’s vocal technique can be defined as one-of-a-kind at its best, incorporating Indian ethnic folk, Sufi, and classical themes deftly into his songs. His voice range and agility have been praised with admiration. His most loved songs include Mysore se aayi, Mumbai, Antaragni, Hey Bhagwan, Har Saans Mein, Gudugudiya, and many others.
6. Kalpana Patowary
Kalpana Patowary learned music from Ustad Gulam Mustafa Khan, a famous singer from Assam. Bhupen Hazarika, the Brahmaputra bard, has had a strong influence on her singing. She rose to prominence after appearing on the reality show Junoon – Kuchh Kar Dikhaane Ka, which aired on NDTV Imagine in 2008.
Bhojpuri folk music is Kalpana Patowary’s strong suit. But her work has never been limited as a result of this. She can sing flawlessly in 30 different languages, including Bhojpuri. She is responsible for hit dance numbers such as Gandi Baat (R… Rajkumar) and Uncha Lamba Kad (Welcome).Kalpana is well known for her folk songs, and along with that, she has also performed in Bhojpuri and Bollywood films, as well as Marathi, Tamil, Bengali, and Assamese films.Fool & Final (2007), Billu (2009), Khatta Meetha (2010), and Begum Jaan (2017) are just a few of the noteworthy Bollywood films for which she has sung.
7. Rabbi Shergill
It was tough for things to go viral back in the days when the internet was still developing. Regardless, Rabbi Shergill’s song Bullah Ki Jaana became an overnight sensation. Rabbi Shergill’s music was unlike anything we’d heard before, with his unusual Sufi-folk-western voice.He approaches music in an entirely different way. As a result, his music is classified as rock, pop, Punjabi with a bani-style melody, Sufiaana, semi-Sufi, and semi-folksy music with a heavy dose of western influence.Rabbi is also known as the “Urban Balladeer of Punjabi Music.” While he has lent his voice to a number of Bollywood songs, Challa from Jab Tak Hai Jaan is his most well-known.
8. Mame Khan
Mame Khan, another gem from Jaisalmer, was born into the fifteenth generation of a family of folk singers and is well-known for his live performances.Mame Khan has been dubbed the “Folk Star of Rajasthan” for his unusual compositions and colourful character.He has brought an ancient musical history from the golden Thar Desert to Bollywood’s screens. Mame Khan’s voice brought Rajasthani folk music to the world’s attention.He is a master of Jangra music, a subset of Rajasthani folk music that has happy-go-lucky melodies for every occasion. Mame Khan has lent his voice to Bollywood on numerous occasions, from No One Killed Jessica to Luck By Chance and, most recently, Mirzya.
9. Swaroop Khan
Swaroop Khan is a Rajasthani folk singer who rose to fame after placing in the top ten candidates on an Indian Idol season. Since then, he’s lent his voice to a slew of Bollywood hits.His most recent contribution was the iconic Ghoomar song from Padmavat, and he has also appeared in Mukkebaaz, Dhanak, Filmistaan, and PK.His audience familiarity must have begun with reality television, yet he never stopped contributing to Rajasthani traditional music.In terms of Bollywood collaborations, his biggest hit has been PK’s ‘Tharki Chokro.’ “Bahut Hua Samman” from Mukkabaaz, and “Emotional Atyachar” from Emotional Atyachar.
10. Malini Awasthi
Malini Awasthi is an Indian singer and musician who sings in Hindi, Awadhi, Bundelkhandi, and Bhojpuri, among other languages. She was born in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh. She’s also a well-known All India Radio A-Grade artist.
She has also taken part in Hindustani Classical music concerts both in India and overseas and played at events such as Pravasi Diwas in Trinidad, the Festival of India in Mauritius, and the Cultural Performance at London’s South Bank Center.
She is one of the few vocalists who has sung in both the United States and Pakistan. Malini has received awards like the Padam Shri and the Yash Bharti UP Government Award for her contributions to folk music.
She has also lent her voice to various Bollywood films such as Chaarfutiya Chhokare, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, and Agent Vinod, to name a few.
11. Prahlad Singh Tipanya
In the Malwa district of Madhya Pradesh’s folk style, Prahlad Singh Tipanya, one of India’s most captivating folk voices, merges singing and explanation of Kabir bhajans. Prahladji mixes a powerful vocal style with an enthralling ability to connect with his listeners.
His performances are more than just fun music. They are profound encounters with Kabir’s spiritual and social thinking. He is regarded in Malwa not only as a singer, but also as someone who spreads Kabir’s messages with great personal fervor and commitment. His concerts emphasize the importance of overcoming petty divisions, sectarianism, useless ritualism, and hypocrisy by adopting love as the true religion.
He’s performed in front of local, state, national, and worldwide audiences. Malwa Ratna, Isuri Samman, Bhajan Bhushan, Madhya Pradesh ka Shikhar Samman, Sangeet Natak Academy award, and the Padma Shri award are among his honors.
12. Sartaj Khan and Sarwar Khan
Sarwar Khan and his brother Sartaj Khan are from a small village near Jaisalmer. They are two of the newest additions to the Rajasthani folk singing scene.Sarwar Khan is twelve years old, whereas Sartaj Khan is only eleven.They began their career by singing on a reality show and gradually gained popularity. The guys rose to prominence after singing for the Bollywood film “Dangal.”The couple performed the song “Hannikarark Bapu,” for which they garnered a lot of praise.Two of them were already well-known folk singers, but their fame skyrocketed after their Bollywood encounter.
Music will always speak to every one of us in unique ways, causing us to fall in love with it. A folk singer’s voice has unrivaled power, and Bollywood has frequently resorted to them to create music that embodies our nation’s fabric. Folk artists don’t live because of music; rather, they live for the sake of music.
#Didyouknow that an empire in India from over 1000 years ago known for its vast army of war elephants were also patrons to some of the best sculpture that has ever been produced in the Indian subcontinent? We are talking about the Pala Empire (r. 750-1161 CE). They were an imperial power which originated in the region of Bengal named after its ruling dynasty. The empire was founded with Gopala as the emperor of Gauda in 750 CE by the people to end anarchy, he extended his power to Magadha, which was a major Buddhist centre, rulers of North Odisha were his vassals. His lineage of rulers brought about greatness and prosperity. The Palas ruled over western Bengal and eastern Bihar, which included the major cities of Gauda, Vikrampura, Pataliputra, Monghyr, Somapura, Ramvati, Tamralipta and Jaggadala. The map below shows Gopadri, Kataka, Kanyakubja, Mudgagin among others.
As mentioned, their army was noted for its vast war elephant corps. Their navy performed both mercantile and defensive roles in the Bay of Bengal. They built grand temples and monasteries, including the Somapura Mahavihara and Odantapuri. Odantapuri (also called Odantapura or Uddandapura) was a Buddhist Mahavihara in Bihar, India. It is believed to have been established by the Pala ruler Gopala I in the 8th century. Somapura Mahavihara was built by the second Pala king Dharmapala (circa 781–821) of Pala Dynasty. The Palas patronised the great universities of Nalanda and Vikramashila. The empire had diplomatic relations with the Srivijaya Empire, the Tibetan Empire and the Arab Abbasid Caliphate.
The son of Gopala was Dharmapala, his son was Devapala; they were great patrons of art and culture. It is during their regime that the Universities of Nalanda, Vikramshila and Uddandapura flourished and art too got a major fillip. The Buddhist pantheon was richly depicted in sculpture in Bihar and Bengal which had some Gupta period influence and style. The figures of Bihar were heavily set. The depictions included the Buddha, Avalokiteswara Khasarpana, Goddess Tara, Vagiswara, Prajnaparmita and other deities. The Hindu pantheon’s early depictions show Lord Surya attended by Danda and Pingala, Lord Shiva as Uma-Maheswara, Lord Vishnu with personified weapons. The early phase also had huge carefully sculpted images of Lord Vishnu with consorts and images of the Jain Tirthankaras. The images in Bengal came with a difference; they had a feeling of lightness with delicate treatment.
The regime of the Palas was prosperous as already mentioned. During Mahipala’s rule (970 – 1030 AD) a Buddhist mission was sent to Tibet. The Palas made many lakes and water bodies in Bengal and Bihar. There were splendid mansions of merchants along the waterways of Bengal. The last Pala ruler was Iradyumnapala.
The later phase of Pala art showed its own stylistics going away from the Gupta idiom, evident in the weapons of Lord Vishnu not being personified, upper garment of figures shown as wavy lines, the headdresses became more detailed as well. The Pala sculpture was well ornamented. By the 10th century Tantrism influenced Pala sculpture. In the 11th and 12th centuries both Buddhist goddesses like Tara and Hindu goddesses like Saraswati and Ganga were sculpted. The black stone was highly used for sculptural work. It flowered and flourished for nearly 5 centuries in Bihar and Bengal. Nalanda was a great centre during the 9th and 10th centuries. There were monks who were experts in the arts. The Pala art’s influence can be seen in Nepal which provided a sanctuary after Nalanda was ravaged by invaders. The art also influenced Tibet, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Java and Afghanistan as well.
Stone sculpture of Pala times are found at Nalanda, Rajgriha, Bodh Gaya, Kurkihar, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Bhagalpur and Khiching in Odisha. Let us look at some of their sculptural marvels.
Vishnu with his consorts
Vishnu with his consorts, Pala dynasty, 11th–12th century, Bihar or West Bengal. Metmuseum.org
A very large stone stele of Hindu god Vishnu with his two consorts is depicted: to his left is Saraswati, the goddess of learning and music; to his right, Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune and wealth. The stele has other gods, demigods, and worshipers as well. Two river goddesses stand at the base of the columns. Beyond them are figures representing the weapons of Vishnu in human form, ie. They are personified; Gadadevi (his mace) and Chakrapurusha (his war discus) in niches. Lord Ganesha occupies the niche at the top left corner; Kartikeya occupies the right corner. The two inner niches depict Lord Shiva on the left and Lord Brahma on the right.
Vishnu riding on Garuda
Vishnu Riding on Garuda, in schist, Eastern India, early Pala period, 7th Century. Wikimedia
This is a rare depiction of Lord Vishnu on his vehicle, the man-eagle Garuda, here shown with a human head, wings outstretched, and tail feathers expanding like rays of light behind the head of the god. Garuda is the enemy of serpents, and a snake is tied around his neck. Devotees are seen kneeling in front. Lord Vishnu is shown with his emblems. This sculpture shows Gupta period influence (4th – 6th centuries), like fluidity and gentle modelling.
Durga as Mahishasura mardini
Durga as Mahishasuramardini, in phyllite, Bengal, India, or Bangladesh, Pala dynasty, 11th century. Wikimedia
The 11th century image shows a smiling multi-armed Goddess who has vanquished the demon Mahishasura. Her weapons are in her hands and she wears a karandamukuta (headdress). She is bejewelled, wearing a girdle and her garment has been indicated with wavy lines. The figure has been sculpted in phyllite, shown on an ornate pedestal.
Standing Buddha
Standing Buddha, in schist, Pala dynasty, circa. 9th century. Wikimedia
A very beautiful and pristine figure of the Buddha with two devotees sculpted at the sides. Buddha is in the varadamudra, a gesture of giving, standing under a canopy against an ornate backdrop with an inscription behind. His garment is depicted with wavy lines.
Uma-maheshvara
Uma-maheshvara, Pala period bronze, Bihar, 10th century. Wikimedia
Uma-maheshvara is a sculpture which depicts the Hindu god and goddess Shiva and Parvati, together called Uma-Maheshvara. Uma is one of the names for Shiva’s wife Parvati, Shiva as ‘Maheshvara’ means ‘Great Lord’. There is an impressive prabhavali or circle of flames behind them. Their son Lord Ganesha is carved on one side of the pedestal they are seated on. There are other figures as well, maybe devotees and Nandi, the bull, Lord Shiva’s vehicle, also the tiger vehicle of Parvathi or Uma.
Goddess Durga in black stone shows her standing holding her weapons. A devotee is kneeling by her left side with folded hands. On the right is her vahana or vehicle, the lion. A peaceful depiction of the multi-armed goddess with her lower right hand in varadamudra or gesture of giving. She is adorned with heavy jewellery and a girdle, her garment has been depicted with lines.
Lord Vishnu
Lord Vishnu, in black stone, Pala period, from Bihar, dated to 750-1300 A.D. Wikimedia
Lord Vishnu is depicted with his emblems; mace, conch and discus, and his consorts. He is wearing a karandamukuta. His lower right hand is in varadamudra or gesture of giving. He is standing on a lotus pedestal.
Lord Ganesha
Lord Ganesha, Northeast India or Bangladesh, in grey schist, Pala dynasty, 10th century. Wikimedia
Lord Ganesha has been sculpted in grey schist, multi-armed and depicted with his vehicle mooshaka. A semi divine being is on the top right side. Ganesha is holding ‘laddoos’ in his back left hand and his front right hand is in abhayamudra, a gesture of blessing and fearlessness. The sculpture is broken at places, but it is nevertheless striking.
Lord Surya
Lord Surya, North-eastern India, Pala period, 11th century. Wikimedia
Lord Surya in the stone stele is standing and the pedestal shows his seven horses. Three women devotees are depicted and the other two figures flanking him are Danda and Pingala. The background of the sculpture is richly carved as well.
Lokesvara Khasarpana
Lokesvara Khasarpana, a form of Avalokitesvara, in steatite, from Nalanda, dated to the Pala Period. Wikimedia
Lokesvara Khasarpana, a form of Avalokitesvara, is depicted with a half-smile and closed eyes and seated on an ornate floral motif throne. His right hand is in varadamudra, a gesture of giving. In Buddhism, Avalokitesvara is a bodhisattva, an individual on the path to becoming a Buddha, who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. He has 108 avatars. The deity’s four standard attendants: the goddesses Tara and Bhrikuti to the left and right of the bodhisattva and on the base, Suchimukha, is at the left, and Hayagriva at the right in front are seen.
Standing Buddha
Standing Buddha, black stone, Pala empire, 10th century. Wikimedia
A very striking figure of the Buddha with Buddhas in different mudras or gestures around the main figure in this stone stele. The Standing Buddha is in the abhayadamudra, a gesture of blessing and allaying of fear, standing against an ornate backdrop and a lotus pedestal. His garment is depicted with wavy lines.
Bodhisattva Maitreya
Bodhisattva Maitreya, in gilt bronze, Pala dynasty, Bengal, 12th century. Wikimedia
Bodhisattva Maitreya is the ‘Buddha’ of the future who is prophesied to appear on Earth, achieve complete Enlightenment, and teach the Dharma. According to scriptures, Maitreya’s teachings will be similar to those of Gautama Buddha. Maitreya, in Buddhist tradition, presently resides in Tushita heaven. Here we seem him sculpted in gilt bronze, crowned and bejewelled and standing on a lotus pedestal. A leafy stalk of flowers rises from the lotus base along his left arm. A small ewer, probably for holding ‘nectar’, the elixir of life, is seen near the top of the bloom to his left.
The sculptural marvels of the Pala period are in India and some museums overseas. Their splendour will continue to increase as time goes by. The scale of their art covers major religions and their work will always be revered. The Pala dynasty sculptures are iconic and have inspired the art of many other countries, so they will always be seen as pioneers in their style and execution both in stone and metal.
References –
Sivaramamurti, C, Indian Scuptures, Bombay: Allied Publishers, 1961.
Randhawa, M.S and Randhawa, D.S. Indian Sculptures – the scene, themes and legends, Bombay: Vakils, Feffal and Simons Ltd, 1985.
Are you looking for some famous brands to buy jewelry? Well, you are on the right page then. We have a list of Top Indian Jewellery Brands for you.
You cannot separate Indian history and tradition from Jewellery. You cannot name an occasion where women don’t wear ornaments. Indian Jewellery is not only for show but a significant part of the economic and social status as well. No matter in which corner of the world you are, you can’t deny the relation between Indian women and Jewellery. Since the earliest times of the Vedic period, Indian women have considered Jewellery as the most precious possession.
When we buy Jewellery, expensive gold, platinum, or diamond Jewellery, the first question that arises deals with the brands’ authenticity, reliability, and trustworthiness. Here is a list of the ten most trustworthy and reliable Indian Jewellery Brands from where you can buy Jewellery without worrying much.
Tanishq
Tanishq is the biggest and the most trustworthy jewelry brand in India. Tata Company and TIDCO back the brand, and it is a division of the Titan Company. Founded in 1994, since then, its fame only grew among people in India. Tanishq, launched in the 1980s, became the first jewelry retail brand in India.
Tanishq also offers online services. You can buy Jewellery online from the most trusted online jewelry store in India, CaratLane. You can buy Jewellery from Tanishq with your eyes closed. They never charge gold rates for stones and provide the best gold exchange value.
Kalyan Jewellers
There is no chance that we could miss Kalyan Jewellers. Kalyan Brand is one of the most successful brands in India. It is famous for sarees, silk, and Jewellery. It is the largest jewelry store chain in India. The headquarters is present in the state of Kerala. Kalyan Company began retailing in Jewellery in the year 1993. You can find thousands of designs, ranging from traditional designs to heavy work designs to contemporary designs.
PC Jewellers
PC Jewellers began even before India got independence. Founded in 1939, the jewelry rand has been thriving since. It is among the most trusted jewelry brands in India and the most preferred choice of people.
PC Jewellers has the most extensive jewelry collection in the country, including ideal jewelry designs for each occasion. There are around 84 showrooms of PC Jewellers in India, spread across 70 cities and 19 states.
SHUBH Jewellers
If Best Craftsmanship were an award, it would be stuck on the crown of Shubh Jewellers. It comes under the Rajesh Export Limited. Shubh Jewellers began in 2012 as a retail brand name of the company. There are about 80 stores and showrooms of Shubh Jewellers in the state of Karnataka alone.
Malabar Gold and Diamonds
Malabar is among the topmost brands of Jewellery according to the 2021 list of top Indian Jewellery brands. It is a famous brand in more than ten countries, and it is the largest chain of jewelry stores globally, with more than 250 stores across the globe. The two most famous lines of Jewellery of the Malabar Gold and Diamonds are the Era Jewellery and the Precia Diamond. Mine Diamonds and Divine are the other two brands of Malabar Gold and Diamonds, which are very popular.
Bhima Jewellers
Bhima Jewellers is insanely famous in South India. South India is known for its pure quality and heavy gold jewelry. If you get to visit South India someday, make sure you visit Bhima Jewellers. The Jewellery showcased in the stores of Bhima Jewellers has no match anywhere else in the country. The heavyweight designs and elaborate traditional work make it stand out from all. It is primarily famous in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The most astonishing collections of Bhima Jewellers include the Bengali heavyweight designs, Karwar precious Stone, Tamil Nadu designs, Nellore color Stone and Traditional Kerala designs.
TBZ
TBZ, Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri, is the oldest jewelry brand in India. It has as many as 37 showrooms in the country, with the largest store built in Mumbai. The latest innovation in the Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri or the TNZ brand is men’s Jewellery, and the brand recently added the men’s jewelry segment to its showroom in Mumbai.
Joyalukkas Jewellers
Joyalukkas Jewellers originated in Kerala, and the brand is famous in India and around the globe. There are more than 140 stores of Joyalukkas Jewellers in the world. You must consider Joyalukkas Jewellers if you are looking for the latest and vast collection of jewelry designs.
Amrapali Jewellers
Amrapali Jewellers is a brand of Jaipur. The jewelry designs under this brand are highly customized to give a Rajasthani look, and they promote Jaipur designs. Along with this, the Amrapali Jewellers also operate a museum for showcasing their most intricate jewelry pieces.
Senco
The Kolkata-based Jewellery brand, Senco, also made its way to our top Indian Jewellery brands. The Jewellery here is notable as the Bengali karigars, known for their customer-centricity, authenticity, and delicate hand, prepare these designs themselves. The Jewellery of Senco is also affordable, making it a brand you must check on.
This brings us to the end of the Top Indian Jewellery Brands. The legacy of Jewellery stands unmatched in the Indian subcontinent, and it is not only auspicious but also a symbol of status in the country. The list mentions ten of the best Jewellery brands in India. If you are searching for the best store to buy Indian Jewellery from, you must consider the list we provided above. The most famous Jewellery in India is gold, diamond, silver, and platinum. Besides the brands mentioned above, you can also look up to other brands such as D’damas under the Gitanjali group, C.Krishniah Chetty Group of Jewellers, or CKC Josco Jewellers, and Orra Jewellers. Some online stores would help you find your favorite piece of Jewellery. BlueStone, CaratLane, Voylla, Pipa Bella, Isharya, and Candere are online jewelry stores.
The number of bloggers around the world is incalculable. Every second person dreams of working from home, thanks to which he could earn a lot of money. This is what the influencers are doing. However, if you think that being a blogger is simple and all you need to do is talk about your life, then you are deeply mistaken. In fact, there are the same obligations in blogging as in a regular job. In addition, you must have certain skills and abilities to be able to attract the attention of the audience to your person.
Social networks are a kind of place of work for influencers. Most people choose platforms such as Youtube, Tik Tok and Instagram to promote their blog. These are the largest social networks that allow you to qualitatively promote yourself as a blogger. When choosing a platform, bloggers rely on indicators such as the number of active users, the built-in functions of the service and content publishing formats. Instagram occupies the leading position in these parameters – it’s the most visited and multifunctional platform.
Conventionally , bloggers are divided into several categories :
– Celebrity. Popular people, for example, your favorite music artists, artists, athletes and others;
– Experts. People who occupy an educational niche in blogging. Such influencers provide a lot of useful information on a particular topic. Most often. Earn money on author’s educational courses;
– Businessmen. Influencers promoting their brand or company. Their main goal is to attract new customers and increase the number of sales.
– Lifestyle bloggers. Ordinary people who have turned their lives into a business. These influencers tell about every day lived, show the whole underside of life and fill accounts with aesthetic content.
In this article we will talk about how to become a life-style blogger and find yourself in it.
If you think that your life is boring and not interesting to anyone, you are mistaken. You can share your thoughts and experiences on various topics, post beautiful photos and videos, talk about your hobbies. In the lifestyle format, you are not limited by any framework, you don’t need to choose words and have acting skills so that the audience is interested in watching you. You don’t need to have supernatural abilities, be able to sit on the splits or cook skillfully. Lifestyle is almost always personal stories.
The first steps in blogging:
Create an Instagram account. If you want people to recognize you by your nickname in the future, come up with a bright profile name, but don’t overdo it. Minimize dots, hyphens and spaces, it doesn’t look as aesthetically pleasing as one or two words. Work on the profile description, in it you should tell about who you are, what distinguishes you from others, what you do and what kind of lifestyle you have. Be brief and don’t write intricate texts. This can bring down a potential follower and he will think for a long time about whether it’s worth subscribing to you. Choose a suitable avatar, preferably a photo that you like, because you will look at it more than once a day. A dynamic, bright photo with you in the frame is ideal for the role of the main profile photo. Also, many newcomers, while making an account, make a base of subscribers so that the blog looks complete and solid in the first days. They use the opportunity to buy Instagram followers cheap, but they do it competently so that potential subscribers don’t suspect that they are being deceived.
Start filling your account with content. Determine which format of information presentation you like the most. Instagram offers many features. If you like to shoot videos, pay attention to Reels and IGTV. Short videos are especially popular now, they often get into trends, even if you have an unpopular account. If you prefer photos, post as much content as possible in the story and create posts telling about yourself and life. Publish content regularly, this increases activity on your page, which will have a good effect on statistics and insta algorithms will gradually raise your account higher in the search. Pay great attention to the quality of photos and videos, determine your unique color palette and try to stick to the chosen style. You can create a content plan in which you determine how many posts and stories per week you need to publish.
Start taking actions to promote your account. Any blogger wants to gain an audience as quickly as possible and not keep the page just for himself. In order to speed up the promotion process, you can buy followers on Instagram. Companies offering such services often offer to purchase a whole package to create a profile base: subscribers, likes and comments. Many novice bloggers use such services because it greatly simplifies the promotion process. When subscribers, likes and comments appear on your page, the probability that people will subscribe to you increases significantly. After you have created a base for promotion, you can use free methods, such as mutual PR, mass liking and mass following. Alternatively, use targeted advertising, thanks to which your ads will be seen only by users who fit your chosen categories.
If you have been thinking about starting your lifestyle blog for a long time, but were afraid to do it, put all fears aside and start doing what brings you pleasure. Modern technologies are rapidly developing and provide many opportunities to gain popularity in any field. Open up to this world and luck will surely smile on you!
Our wanderlust woman returns again, this time discovering a sun temple hidden in the mists of time! Here is a travelogue about a great offbeat destination in North India…
When I headed off to explore the Garhwal Himalayas in the month of July, I wasn’t quite certain what I had to be prepared for. However, topping that list were the rains. The incessant drizzle followed us with chilly determination. It trailed us as we left Kathgodam and reached Nainital, and finally to Almora.
The drizzle’s persistence was a tad irritating because we had to hold onto our umbrellas all the time, and also, because it covered every advertised view point with mist, leaving us with a singular view – an opaque sheet in white!
However as the day progressed, the light rain transformed Almora, into a place out of fairy tales. It added a snowy edge to the wooden houses, brought out the large colourful umbrellas and turned the city into a freshly washed delight. Then I got to know about the sun temple at Katarmal, but it wasn’t a part of my itinerary. It wasn’t on our way to Kausani although it was only 17kms from Almora. The question was whether to go off track and see this temple or stick to our itinerary? We decided it will be answered by the weather the next day.
Thankfully, the morning brought with it some sun albeit behind the lingering clouds. With the promise of light, Katarmal could easily be accommodated. Additionally, if the Sun God at the temple was pleased with us, he could just grant us some extra sunshine.
About half an hour away from Almora, towards Katarmal, the motorable road ends. After which, there is a 2km stretch that needs to be done by foot. The little trek on the muddy slopes of a steep climb, requires immense resolve. The view continues to be enchanting – mountains, deodar trees and droplets from the rain shower still clinging on green leaves. This place does not see many visitors (a few foreigners and local devotees), does not have proper roads or information to lead us there.
But, all my doubts about this place were wiped clean by the very first sight of this spectacular temple complex. It is huge, beautifully crafted, historically significant, surprisingly welcoming and filled with serenity. What took me aback was the suddenness of it appearance. As we were climbing, we expected some usual activity around the momentous place – people, boards, vehicles… something. At 2,116 metres above sea level, one does not expect a massive stone structure or a cluster of temples!
Popularly known as ‘Baraditya’ or ‘Vraddhaditya’, the Katarmal Sun temple is a unique cluster of temples which is the tallest temples in the Kumaon region and is believed to be the second most important sun temple in India, after the Konark Sun temple in Orissa. It was built somewhere between in the 9th – 13th Century by King Katarmalla who ruled the Kumaon region. In those days, the Kumaon state extended from Garhwal in Uttarkand to parts of Nepal up to Afghanistan. Katarmalla was a popular medieval king of the Katyuri dynasty, which is also linked to the Suryavansha lineage tracing back to Lord Rama and the Sun God.
This temple of the old Sun God, Vraddhaditya, is built in the typical Katyuri style. The architecture uses massive pieces of stone. These pieces of stone were painstakingly carried to the top of the mountain to create this architectural marvel. Around the main temple, are 45 shrines built in the similar style. The Katyuri style involves extensive carving on pillars and doors, intricate figurines of metal and stone, and large pieces of stones held together by metal clamps. The Katyuri kings were great patrons of art which is quite evident in their architecture. The Almora and Bageshwar districts are dotted with hundreds of stone temples such as the Baijnath and Jageshwar temples.
Inside the main temple along with the statue of Vraddhaditya, other deities are also present. The locals believe that this shrine is significant for two reasons. One, this is the only Sun temple in the hills, and second, in the months of February and November, the sun rays fall directly on the deity making it an extraordinary sight.
Off late, this 800 year old temple has fallen into neglect. I spent some time walking around the complex. Since it is on the top of a mountain, the open space is not too large. The light drizzle made its presence felt again and the stone structures gained a glossy appeal. The clouds moved along at eye level. I realized with great amazement that I was briefly in the clouds. It was almost magical to see it leave me behind to move on to envelope the main shrine of the temple and then the mountain range behind it. The clouds moved like a thin white veil pulled away by an invisible hand.
Katarmal Sun temple was my surprise encounter with history. It was very real yet had a touch of dreamlike charm. The cloud that moved swiftly, enveloping each temple one at a time, fascinated me. It’s difficult to imagine what I might witness here, in another season. The history is real and concrete, but the intangible forces of nature at that altitude adds dramatic effects to the place. I am waiting to go back again to see what’s waiting to receive me!
Odisha, located on the Indian subcontinent’s eastern coast, is home to a diverse range of excellent tourism items. Historically known as a cultural hotspot, it has recently emerged as one of the most beautiful states in the country, with rapid progress on all fronts, including the travel and tourism sector. If you ask any travel enthusiast about sites to visit in Odisha, they would undoubtedly recommend Jagannath Temple, Konark Temple, Sambalpur, and Goplpur. Odisha is well-known as the home of one of the Char Dhams, Puri, although little of the state has been explored. There are up to 800 spiritual structures in the city of Bhubaneswar alone. The Kalinga architecture is unique to the region, and it has characteristic curvilinear designs and ornate exquisite stone carvings.
Many parts of Odisha remain undiscovered and unexplored, thus we offer you this list of the best offbeat places in Odisha to make your trip more meaningful.
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, in the Bargarh district of Odisha, is perched on the edge of the blue backwaters of Hirakud Dam. It’s noted for its beautiful scenery and easy access to animals. Debrigarh, which covers 743 square kilometers, is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Apart from the 42 species of fish, Debrigarh is home to more than 40 species of mammals, 234 species of birds, 41 species of reptiles, 85 species of butterflies, and 38 species of spiders. There are over 250 different plant species to be found here.
The sanctuary is an eco-sensitive zone, flanked on the eastern and northern sides by the Hirakud reservoir edges. Leopard, bison, sambar, elephants, wild boar, chital, chousingha, wild dog, porcupine, nilgai, peacock, and many more wild species may be seen in Debrigarh, which is literally a sanctuary. It’s a beautiful place to go birding.
According to the legends, revolutionary freedom warrior Veer Surendra Sai established his camp in Barapathar, which is located in the sanctuary’s centre.
Rushikulya Beach is a lesser-known beach in Odisha that is famous for being home to the “Olive Ridley Turtle” The Ganjam area is home to this beautiful and remote beach. Aside from being beautiful and pristine, this beach is well-known for the “hatching of the Olive Ridley Turtle” eggs, which takes place mostly early in the morning. The ‘olive ridley turtle’ is an endangered species, and many conservationists have been working hard to safeguard it in recent years. Furthermore, because this beach has not been developed, there are very few hotels, motels, shacks, or other structures visible in or near it. Two big Olive Ridley Turtle nestings were seen for the first time on this beach in early 2018. They happened initially in February and then again 49 days later in April. Approximately 3600 turtles were hatched during nesting in April, according to forest department authorities. Only time will tell whether this unusual nesting phenomenon will continue in the future. It is about 327 kilometres (by NH16) from Gahirmatha Beach.
Barehipani is the second tallest waterfall in India and the highest in Orissa. The waterfall is 1309 feet tall, only 55 metres shorter than India’s highest waterfall, Kunchikal Falls. The Budhabalanga River, which runs across the mountain, is the source of the waterfall. The waterfalls in two drops, making it a two-tiered one.
The river Budhabalanga cascades down from the Simlipal hills, creating these magnificent falls that are 1200 feet (399 metres) high. The Joranda falls are near the Barehipani waterfalls. This waterfall, while not as large as the Barehipani, is noted for its beauty. Throughout the year, both of these waterfalls are full of water. The water cascading down from the falls that run in little streams throughout the forest, which is located inside the borders of the Simlipal national park, which is home to the magnificent Bengal tiger as well as the rare white tiger species in Orissa, serves as the lifeblood of the forest’s creatures. The cascade of water Barehipani is a popular tourist destination, with thousands of visitors flocking to see its unparalleled beauty each year. A trip to Simlipal isn’t complete without seeing the magnificent Barehipani Falls.
Because there is no vegetation around the falls, it appears that during the monsoon season, this waterfall becomes extremely violent and moves a large amount of water. The falls are located within Simlipal National Park, one of India’s most important Bengal and White Tiger preserves.
Chandragiri is a lush valley in the Gajapati district of Odisha that is known for its Tibetan population and Buddhist monastery. Many people refer to Chandragiri, one of the many diverse places in Odisha, as “Mini-Tibet.”
It’s a perfect adobe for travellers because of its rare scenic beauty and picturesque landscape surrounded by lush tropical forest, gurgling rivers, exquisite mountain slopes, and roaring hilltops. This location, blessed with natural bounty, is known for seasonal fruits, Tibetan woollen clothing, carpets, and dogs of diverse types. The large-scale horticultural plantings, as well as Tibetan refugee cultural activities, provide colour and appeal to the area.
The town had kept a low profile until 2010 when it became home to Eastern India’s largest Buddhist monastery.
Since then, its popularity has continuously increased among Indian and international tourists. Visitors from all over the world are flocking to the small village to experience unadulterated village life, be wowed by the beautiful Padmasambhava Mahavihara Monastery, and be bowled over by the mighty Eastern ghats.
In India’s geomorphology, the Satkosia Gorge is a one-of-a-kind feature. Mahanadi has carved a spectacular gorge with sylvan beauty and superb characteristics straight through the Eastern Ghats. Since 1976, the picturesque town of Satkosia, 160 kilometres from Bhubaneswar, has been home to a wildlife sanctuary known as the Satkosia Tiger Reserve. In the moist, deciduous forests of the Eastern Ghats, tigers call the sanctuary home. Elephants, birds, and other species that may be seen in the wild also call it home.
When boating, one may see the Gharials, or Indian fish-eating crocodiles, that live in the river. The Mahanadi River runs through a 14-mile-long gorge, which is why the town was given the name Satkosia, which comes from Saat Kros, an old local measurement.
In Satkosia, the Odisha Forest Development Corporation offers a variety of housing choices. The Kuanria Deer Park & Dam, as well as the Kantilo Neelamadhav Temple, are nearby.
Pattachitra art is primarily recognised in Odisha’s historical crafts hamlet of Raghurajpur. The art form is utilised to embellish none other than Lord Jagannath and his siblings, the Lord of the Universe. The art form’s association with the holy trinity elevated it and helped it gain prominence.
The Pattachitra has captured the imagination of artists and art lovers alike, depicting scenes from mythology with vibrant colours, superb craftsmanship, and simplicity in design. Vastra (Cloth) and Chitra (Paintings) are two terms used in Pattachitram. As a result, Pattachitra is essentially a fabric painting.
Raghurajpur, about 12 kilometres from Puri, is a charming village with 120 or so houses neatly lined up in two rows facing each other. Every house has an artist working in the profession, making it maybe the only area in India where such a vast number of artists can be found.
Raghurajpur is also the birthplace of KelucharanMohapatra, the doyen of Odissi Dance Gurus, and the hamlet is famous for the Gotipua dance (a precursor to Odissi). Acrobatic postures are used in this dance, which is done by young males costumed as female dancers.
Tourists are welcome, so start up a discussion with the locals to learn more about the art form and its history.
Mangalajodi Ecotourism is a venue for a peek into Mother Nature, located 40 kilometres from the district headquarters. “The Bird’s Paradise,” an eco-tourism attraction on the northern banks of Chilika Lake in Odisha, attracts around 3,00,000 birds to its marshy waters, especially in the winter. It is a one-of-a-kind environment whose preservation is exemplified by a sustainable way of living. Mangalajodi Ecotourism aims to inspire, inform, and empower communities to use well-managed low-impact tourism to turn ecosystems into a sustainable source of livelihood rather than exploiting them for short-term profit. The entire programme hinges on the conservation of the wetland ecology and its avifauna.
Chandipur Beach, also known as the ‘hide-and-seek’ beach, is a long expanse of golden sand surrounded by Casuarina trees, clear seas, and rich coastal flora. Every day, though, a peculiar natural phenomenon happens here. During low tide, the seawater recedes up to 5 kilometres (3 miles) twice a day, leaving just the shells behind. During high tide, the water returns.
The biodiversity of sea creatures in the area has been greatly enhanced as a result of this extreme natural phenomenon. When the seawater returns, it brings horseshoe crabs and red crabs with it, which would otherwise live further away from the beach.
This is thought to be a one-of-a-kind phenomenon at this beach. The tide retreats at different times depending on the moon cycle, but it happens every day. The low and high tides are well-known among the locals. Whether the tide is in or out, the sunrises and sunsets are exceptionally beautiful at this beach.
In Odisha, you’ll find a plethora of museums and cultural places to pique your interest in history. Delectable meals will satisfy your appetite for superb eating. Exquisite temples will quench your thirst for spiritual reality. Your yearning for new experiences will be satiated by the numerous children of nature — lakes, hills, and wildlife. Numerous fascinating tribes will sate your curiosity for the unknown. Those who take the time to travel to Odisha will feel rewarded!
A small district in the Eastern side of UP sharing its border with Bihar and Nepal, would never have been in my bucket list if one of my family members would haven’t been posted there. I have always been fascinated by hills and mountains, so any holidays hill station is the absolute choice. But last Diwali after a lot of persuasion from my sister I decided to spend the holidays at her place. Little did I know when I was embarking journey with my toddler that, this little sleepy town which I have never pondered to visit as a tourist would make some memoirs that would always be etched in my heart forever. The history is so vivid. A place of immense spiritual significance and sanctity. Not only once, but I visited this place around three times in a span of just six months. Now as they relocate from this place to a new destination, I was nothing but sort of compelled to pen down about the warmth and affection that I have received in this place.
It was a week before Diwali. The mornings have started becoming chilly and foggy. We boarded the Naharlagun express from Delhi and reached Gorakhpur around 4am in the morning. From Gorakhpur the distance to Kushinagar is around 50 KMs. As we started heading towards our destination, I could slowly see the night making way for dawn. On the way I was shown the roads and the entrances to some of the important Buddhist shrines and temples. We reached her place after a drive of around 90 mins. I was given a warm welcome by their in-house staff members. As I was also working remotely, after freshening up I had to settle down with my work, without much caring to venture out. Evening we went out to one of the prominent shrines in Kushinagar, The Wat Thai temple. It was already dark so couldn’t get much of this place. But there I came across an elderly person, who owns a café in one of the prime locations of Kushinagar next to some of the important tourist spots. He was fondly known as Dada (Assamese/Bengali synonym for elder brother) in Kushinagar. Hailing from the same state, Assam, I was overjoyed to have met him. Apart from that what mesmerized is his immense historical knowledge of that place. It seemed he has lived that place from the time of Buddha, so vivid and clear. He decided to tour us around the place.
As mentioned above, I was working for most of the days. So decided on for an early morning tour of that place. Next day, early in the morning we left for dada’s café. A quick cup of tea and started my expedition. As I have been a mountain lover immensely, I have a special fascination for Buddhist pagodas and stupas. So decided to start my tour by first visiting the Burmese temple.
The-Burmese Temple
Nestled among other important shrines and stupas, the temple is an architectural grandeur. The circular shrine hosts a magnificent Buddha statue made of asta dhatu or eight elements. Due to the ongoing pandemic, access to the inner chamber was prohibited. Outside the chamber are the carvings of the seven days on seven different sides, the outer ring surrounded by the wooden sculptures of Buddhist monks.
Walking past the premises of the Burmese Temple, a narrow trail lad us to the most important Shrine of Kushinagar, the Mahaparinirvana temple, believed to be one of the most sacred shrines of the Buddhists. History goes, the Buddha during his last days travelled to Kushinagar, gave his last sermon there. Finally he attained Parinirvana and he was cremated along the banks of River Hiranyavati and relics were preserved there.
The relics around Mahaparinirvarna Temple
The ancient town of Kushinagar was earlier known as Kushinara, the capital of Mallakas, one of the sixteen mahajanpads of the 6th BC. Kushinara continued to be a living city even during the times of Ashoka. The original stupa of the Mahaparanirvana temple was built by Ashoka to mark Buddha’s Parinirvana alongwith a temple with a reclining statue of Buddha built of monolithic redstone. The statue is 6.1 metres long representing the Dying Buddha, reclining on his right. This statue was unearthed by a British archaeologist in the 19th century. Since then, this place has become an important site for Buddhist pilgrimage.
The temple premise consists of a beautiful garden known as the Meditation Park with lush greenery and soulful ambience which help in soothing the chaotic mind. The garden consisted of various excavated ruins, that is believed to have dated back to 1200 CE and supposed to be the living places of the Buddhist monks of that era. They abandoned the place and fled to escape the Islamic invasion, after which the site decayed. It was in 19th century after archaeological excavation the site and ruins were restored and the current horizontal cylindrical shaped temple was built by the government in the year 1956.
The Mahaparinirvarna Temple
Right behind the Mahaparinirvana temple lies Nirvana Stupa on the same platform and believed to be the death place of Buddha. Known as the Nirvana Chaitya, it is said that Buddha’s body was kept here seven days, while he was waiting Parinirvana, while his soul started liberating from his body starting from his toes moving upwards.
Nirvana Stupa
Our next stop, adjacent to the Mahaparinirvana temple was the Ramabhar Stupa. Also, known as the Makutabandhana Chaitya, which is a heap like structure built of old bricks, excavated around 1910 AD. Now this is the place where Buddha’s earthly remains were supposed to be cremated with due respect and divinity by his one of the oldest disciples Mahakassapa. The Malla dynasty, ruling at that time tried to keep all the relics, meanwhile seven other clans arrived and tried to claim over the relics. Finally by a Brahmin named, Drona the relics were divided into ten parts, eight consisted of the bones, one ashes and one part was used to make pithos to contain the relics.
Ramabhar Stupa
Nothing was more soul captivating than the cool breeze of an autumn morning in a lush green area, with monks chanting with devotion or the calmness of their deep meditation.
Between Ramabhar Stupa and Mahaparinirvana Temple on the other side of the road lies the Matha Kaur temple, which hosts a bluestone statue of Lord Buddha. It is believed Buddha gave his last sermon at this place.
Crossing the Ramabhar Stupa a left turn leads to the Hiryanavati Ghat, where the ashes of Buddha were presumed to have been immersed. The mention of this river is found in Mahabharata also.
Thai Temple
Apart from these important and sacred shrines and stupas, there are various other Buddhist temples of architectural grandiose. The Wat Thai temple opposite to the Ramabhar Stupa is a perfect amalgamation architectural grandiose and captivating greenery and nature. The garden of roses and lilies with riots of colours truly enchanted our mind and soul.
Another modern temple that lies within vicinity is the Linh-Son Vietnam/Chinese Buddhist Temple. The main shrine which is a two-storey built in Vietnamese and Chinese architecture, hosting a captivating Buddha statue.
Chunda Place Buddha’s last meal
In the next coming days we visited many other places of tourism prominence like the Chunda place in Chatthi Gaon, where Buddha was supposed to have taken his last meal. Another prominent spot, 17kms from Kushinagar is the Sun Temple, built during the Gupta Period.
The trip to Kushinagar would have not been so memorable without the hospitality and sumptuous meals fed by those local acquaintances. The lip smacking pakodas by Sanjay’s (my bro-in-law’s PA) wife made the Diwali evenings a bit more gratifying. The winter visit was made heartwarming by Nusharat’s and her husband’s elaborate Mughlai dinner and not to forget the inhouse staff litti chokha and mutton cooked in the wood fire, regaling us with anecdotes of their lives and the mouth melting Kerela styled mutton Korma by Priscila Mam made my last trip to Kushinagar an unforgettable nostalgia. Your paths may cross or may not. I may travel to this place again or may not. But these memories of love, amiability and endearment will always travel in my heart in this journey of life.
The Kenyan real estate market has been growing rapidly, driven by strong economic growth and an increasing population. This has resulted in a large number of new developments popping up all over the country, including many modern houses. These developments are often aimed at middle- and high-income earners, who are increasingly looking for quality homes in safe and secure areas.
Most modern houses include state-of-the-art security features, such as CCTV cameras, electric fences, and guard houses. They also tend to have a variety of amenities, such as swimming pools, gyms, and playgrounds; this makes them very attractive to families with children. These are the same features and improvements you will see in the https://hauzisha.co.ke/houses-for-sale/nairobi, and with the help of a reputable agent, you can compare and find the one that suits you. You can also get assistance from a real estate professional with the paperwork and purchasing a home in Kenya.
When buying a modern house, knowing the available construction types is crucial. The most common type of construction is brick and mortar, which most people are familiar with. However, several newer construction methods, such as prefabricated and modular homes, are becoming increasingly popular. These newer methods offer several advantages over traditional construction, such as shorter build times and lower costs.
When buying a modern house, it is essential to have realistic expectations. These homes are often more expensive than traditional houses, and they may not be available in all areas of the county.
When you are looking for a modern house in Kenya, there are a few things you can expect, including;
1- Good security features
Looking for a gated community or an area with good security features is advisable. Most modern houses in Kenya come with state-of-the-art security features such as CCTV cameras, electric fences, and guard houses. Always ask the seller about the house’s security features before making an offer. Ask if they include the sale price or if you will need to pay for them separately.
2- A variety of amenities
Most modern houses in Kenya are often located in gated communities with various amenities such as swimming pools, gyms, and playgrounds. If you have children, this is an excellent perk as it gives them a safe place to play while you are at work. These amenities are usually included in the sale price, but it is always best to check with the seller beforehand.
3- Shorter build times
One of the advantages of buying a modern house is that they are often built using newer construction methods such as prefabricated and modular homes; this means that the build time is significantly shorter than traditional construction methods. This can be a great perk if you want to move into your new home quickly.
4- Lower costs
Modern houses in Kenya are often more expensive than traditional homes. However, they may cost less in the long run due to the shorter build time and the lower maintenance costs. Always ask the seller about the estimated running costs of the house before making an offer.
5- Newer construction methods
As mentioned above, many modern houses in Kenya are built using newer construction methods such as prefabricated and modular homes. These methods have several advantages over traditional construction, such as shorter build times and lower costs. Always ask the seller about the available construction methods if you are looking for a modern house.
6- Improved security
Most modern houses in Kenya come with state-of-the-art security features, such as CCTV cameras, electric fences, and guard houses. These features can give you peace of mind knowing that your family is safe in your new home. Remember to ask the seller about the available security features if you are looking for a modern house.
7- A variety of floor plans
When looking for a modern house in Kenya, you often have a choice of floor plans. This is an excellent perk as it allows you to choose the layout that best suits your needs. Always ask the seller about the available floor plans if you want a modern house.
There are various ways to know about houses for sale; you can;
a) Ask people around you if they know anyone selling a house
By asking people around you, such as your friends, family, and colleagues, you may get some leads on houses for sale.
b) Check online listings
Various websites list houses for sale in Kenya. These websites are a great way to see what is available in your area.
c) Contact a real estate agent
A real estate agent can help you find houses for sale in Kenya. They will understand the local market well and can help you find the perfect home for your needs.
Wrapping Up
When searching for a contemporary home in Kenya, there are various factors to consider. These include the location, security features, amenities, build time, and costs. It is advisable to always ask the seller about these factors before making an offer. You can find the perfect modern house for your needs with some research.
