Not many know that Durga Puja has been celebrated for centuries in Odisha, a state of India.
Durga Puja is celebrated with great grandeur & style here.
This year, I was particularly touched by the Durga Puja Pandal at Old Station Square, Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is called the Temple City of India. One time it had more than 100,000 temples; now there are hundreds...
Note- The following photos and images shared in this post are from the Old Station Square Durga Puja Pandal of Bhubaneswar. The Pandal presented a glimpse of history with relevant social messages that set me thinking.
Odisha's rich architectural heritage was beautifully showcased- The Sun Temple, Konark, Khandagiri & Udayagiri Caves, Ratnagiri & Lalitagiri- Buddhist sites.
Are we truly educated?
If we are "educated", why are there dark crimes against women & the innocent & the weak?
Even little babies aren't spared these days... despite education future is bleak...
It's immaterial whether night or day...
Women are at risk anyway...
Why do "educated" people write on our monuments and spoil the works of art?
Surely, there must be other means to express their love...
Why not create history in some other way rather than ruin historically significant national heritage?
Why do "educated" people indulge in acts of vandalism?
I include the British too who have looted and plundered India and all the nations they took captive under Imperialism.
Many items-precious national treasures of nations are under their possession.
What thrill do "educated" people get by breaking & disfiguring statues or other works or art or even public property?
Notice the headless statue...
Oh Maa Durga! Please come, remove the locked doors and shower your presence.
Please vanquish the evils & the devils & may goodness feel your benevolence...
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shakti Roopena Samsthita.... Namastasyay Namastasyay Namastasyay Namo Namo.
Meaning- The goddess who is omnipresent in all as the form of universal mother
The goddess who is omnipresent in all as the form of power
The goddess who is omnipresent in all as the symbol of intelligence
The goddess who is omnipresent in all as the symbol of wealth
I bow to her, I bow to her, I bow to her.
As per the above shloka, Maa Durga is omnipresent as the embodiment of power, intelligence, peace, wealth, morality etc.
Education is by Her grace too.
Villains like Ravana & Duryodhana were very "educated" and had great knowledge of books & statecraft.
Still, they committed shameful crimes that speak poorly of their education.
They would have been heroes & not villains, had they respected their education....
People like them are educated illiterates.
What's the use of that education that we cannot apply to attain a higher level of thinking/values?
For the betterment of humanity, rather than corrupt & low-grade practices to feather our nests?
To be mean & win or be rich at another's expense?
What's the use of that education that has no confidence in its own capability, rather steals from others?
Not only ideas, but nation's wealth is stashed away as black-money abroad....
May MaaDurga vanquish the demons in humanity & remove all the sins so that we celebrate the wins.....
May we be truly educated and guard & treat everything & everyone viz. our ancient heritage & people with utmost respect, pride & emotional intelligence.
This was just one of the Durga Puja Pandals of Bhubaneswar.
You may check out more posts with pics of the Pandals I visited this year in Odisha:
Durga Puja - Khan Nagar, Cuttack
Durga Puja - Jharpada, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Sahid Nagar, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Bomikhal, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Unit 1, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Ashok Nagar, Bhubaneswar
Linking this Post with - The Saturday PhotoHunt- Rock - Rocks are used for amazing art & architecture.
Durga Puja is celebrated with great grandeur & style here.
This year, I was particularly touched by the Durga Puja Pandal at Old Station Square, Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is called the Temple City of India. One time it had more than 100,000 temples; now there are hundreds...
Note- The following photos and images shared in this post are from the Old Station Square Durga Puja Pandal of Bhubaneswar. The Pandal presented a glimpse of history with relevant social messages that set me thinking.
Odisha's rich architectural heritage was beautifully showcased- The Sun Temple, Konark, Khandagiri & Udayagiri Caves, Ratnagiri & Lalitagiri- Buddhist sites.
Are we truly educated?
IndiSpire#34- Education is not merely Stacking of Degrees but also Dressing up of one's Mind and Soul.What is Your Definition Of an Educated Person.And what is your opinion about Educated Illiterates. #Education
If we are "educated", why are there dark crimes against women & the innocent & the weak?
Even little babies aren't spared these days... despite education future is bleak...
It's immaterial whether night or day...
Women are at risk anyway...
Why do "educated" people write on our monuments and spoil the works of art?
Surely, there must be other means to express their love...
Why not create history in some other way rather than ruin historically significant national heritage?
Why do "educated" people indulge in acts of vandalism?
I include the British too who have looted and plundered India and all the nations they took captive under Imperialism.
Many items-precious national treasures of nations are under their possession.
What thrill do "educated" people get by breaking & disfiguring statues or other works or art or even public property?
Notice the headless statue...
Oh Maa Durga! Please come, remove the locked doors and shower your presence.
Please vanquish the evils & the devils & may goodness feel your benevolence...
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shakti Roopena Samsthita.... Namastasyay Namastasyay Namastasyay Namo Namo.
Meaning- The goddess who is omnipresent in all as the form of universal mother
The goddess who is omnipresent in all as the form of power
The goddess who is omnipresent in all as the symbol of intelligence
The goddess who is omnipresent in all as the symbol of wealth
I bow to her, I bow to her, I bow to her.
Education is by Her grace too.
Villains like Ravana & Duryodhana were very "educated" and had great knowledge of books & statecraft.
Still, they committed shameful crimes that speak poorly of their education.
They would have been heroes & not villains, had they respected their education....
People like them are educated illiterates.
What's the use of that education that we cannot apply to attain a higher level of thinking/values?
For the betterment of humanity, rather than corrupt & low-grade practices to feather our nests?
To be mean & win or be rich at another's expense?
What's the use of that education that has no confidence in its own capability, rather steals from others?
Not only ideas, but nation's wealth is stashed away as black-money abroad....
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May we be truly educated and guard & treat everything & everyone viz. our ancient heritage & people with utmost respect, pride & emotional intelligence.
This was just one of the Durga Puja Pandals of Bhubaneswar.
You may check out more posts with pics of the Pandals I visited this year in Odisha:
Durga Puja - Khan Nagar, Cuttack
Durga Puja - Jharpada, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Sahid Nagar, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Bomikhal, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Unit 1, Bhubaneswar
Durga Puja - Ashok Nagar, Bhubaneswar
Linking this Post with - The Saturday PhotoHunt- Rock - Rocks are used for amazing art & architecture.
A very different take and a point so well put forth soul-sis. Loved it. Thank you for always being Hatke :) (unique).
ReplyDeleteThanks for your appreciation, Soul-sis :)
DeleteAwesome Anita, you were lucky who visited so many places in Durga Puja, we did get the chance to visit only one pandal :)
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, Alok. usually even I get to visit 1-2 Pandals. This time thanks to hubby for accepting my pandal-hopping proposal. We were roaming till 1:30 AM! :)
DeleteThe pics are very beautiful....
ReplyDeleteAnd like your point on education and literacy...
Thanks a lot. There are so many more pics I have clicked. But, shared only a few as was facing upload problems :)
DeleteGlad you liked :)
I loved each and everything about the post...it is amazing how creatively you co relate things....yes, we should be enlightened first...that's real education
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Datta for your kind words :)
DeleteMay we all be enlightened & truly educated.
People have complete disregard for history these days, and I am most surprised when our people are doing it to the monuments here itself. May be they consider history as the past and doesn't concern them :( We need "Monuments Men", don't we? :D
ReplyDeleteGoodness doesn't come through education, but nowadays, everyone needs only those people who act smart and awesome while doing such dirty activities when nobody is watching.
I agree with you. The last line is so true as even I feel the same.
DeleteThis is the age of smartly showing off that one is "good" while harboring the most terrible intentions!
After Modi, you're the great orator who knows how to put very different subjects together in a well and effective manner. You know when, where and how to place things - architecture, British, history, education, women discrimination, writing on wall, Durga Puja, Sanskrit Sloka.. Superb dear...Hats off to you :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your extremely kind comment, Ravish.
DeleteTo be considered close to Modiji is a HUGE compliment.
I'll smile & be inspired a lot more reading & re-reading this for sure :)
A very significant point Made.Loved your Post.And Like Always Awesome it is :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Saima for the very relevant IndiSpire topic idea.
DeleteWe got a chance to share our thoughts :)
Thanks for your appreciation!
point well made, Anita. and yes.. you do know how to bring many topics in one post.. lovely :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Meera for your lovely words & support :)
DeleteI don't know why but I felt so emotional after reading this.
ReplyDelete"Oh Maa Durga! Please come, remove the locked doors and shower your presence.
Please vanquish the evils; the devils; may goodness feel your benevolence."... these are my favorite lines.
You have written marvelously. As your blog's header say, I too believe in miracles (someday things would be better in the world) and the power of words (Your words clearly represent that.) :)
I felt very emotional seeing this Pandal as I thought of all the monuments & heritage of Incredible India that are not incredible any more because of us...
DeleteThanks for your marvelous & inspiring words, Namrata :)
May our beliefs come true & may word-power triumph in riving some sense into all to preserve our art & architecture...
Very beautiful writeup Anita, truly put the burning concerns of the society....."WE" the people have to bring change in our thought process.
ReplyDeleteAll photos of Maa Durga idols are beautiful.....Loved this Post....:)
Delighted that you loved reading this, Priyashi :)
DeleteYes, all the idols of Maa Durga were superb in this Pandal. I was awe-struck & couldn't stop clicking pics!
Just shared a few here...
Such beautiful carvings!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my Blog!
DeleteThese were just a few pics from a temporary structure to celebrate a Festival.
You must visit India to see incredible carvings- art & architecture... :)
My guess is that most of the people who do the damage are not as educated as they think they are. For example, while the British were certainly schooled, they obviously were quite ignorant when it came to the consequences of their actions. Or, in other cases, they let superstition/emotion take precedence over education and understanding. I think of the people who commit criminal acts against people or vandalize property for religious reasons. They certainly are capable of understanding why these types of acts are wrong, but their critical thinking is subordinate to the religious dogma that has been instilled in them. Great post!
ReplyDeleteIowa Voice
Thanks Mike for stopping by & for sharing such a relevant comment.
DeleteHope the people around the world are "educated" enough and do not indulge in acts that can harm our world.
The consequences of our actions can be very costly...
Sure been lot of interesting rocks. Enjoy the statue made of rocks.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
Welcome to my Blog, Dora!
DeleteGreat to read your comment! Thanks for sharing :)
How beautiful the pandal is! The first few pictures reminded me of Ellora & Ajintha... Amazed that there are cave temples in Odisha too! Are Udayagiri, Ratnagiri in Odisha? Because, I knew about Ratnagiri of Konkan only... Proud to be an Indian! What a great architecture!
ReplyDeleteTC! Keep smiling :)
Yes, Sindhu. Odisha has caves like the Khandagiri & the Udayagiri and Buddhist heritage sites like Ratnagiri & Lalitagiri. Tourists are yet to experience the potential of Odisha...
DeleteYou must visit soon :)
Proud to be an Indian & to belong to this great land that has such incredible architecture.