Ramakatha Book and Odisha Connection in Ramayana Circuit

Odisha has several sites linked with the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

However, these sites are unknown; even the famous ones are not included in the heritage map, route/trail, or circuit.

Let us take the Ramayana Circuit, for example.

Significantly, the Indian Government is taking steps to include all the sites related to the Ramayana. This welcome initiative will link and connect many devotees while helping forge cultural connections.

The Railway Ministry has introduced the "Shri Ramayana Yatra- A Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train."

प्रभु श्रीराम से जुड़े सभी महत्वपूर्ण धार्मिक स्थलों के दर्शन हेतु आज से भारतीय रेल चलाएगी रामायण सर्किट ट्रेन। जय श्री राम! pic.twitter.com/VWVE5Bms14

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) November 7, 2021

However, there is exclusion of some sites of Odisha like the Mahendragiri.

Great to find “Shri Ramayana Yatra- A Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train” @RailMinIndia.

But, there’s exclusion of Mahendragiri in the #RamayanCircuit.

Please include Odisha too.
Sites are linked with Ramayana #IncredibleIndia #dekhoapnadesh #VocalForLocal #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav https://t.co/pjlqxxTcGR pic.twitter.com/DIdf5Mbhsq

— Anita Sabat - ଡ. ଅନୀତା ସାବତ (@anitaexplorer) June 21, 2022

Mission Treasure

It was the hottest-ever summer.

Liza had never experienced such scorching heat.

Liza wasn't prepared for what she saw next.

The sea receded at least a kilometer away from their home on the beach!

 

Photo Prompt- Lisa Fox

Notable was the stump of a tree that was visible.

The Special Ship

Their meeting was a coincidence.

Or perhaps destiny had special plans to bring them together.

Otherwise, why would they have met in the theater, seated side by side, to watch "The Special Ship" movie?

 

He asked her for a date at the promenade.

She agreed.

They saw the same special ship there!

Photo Prompt- Roger Bultot

It seemed like the ship had been shipped from Heaven for them!

It stopped in front of them.

Tourist Information

Richy felt totally lost.

The signboards did not help.

She could not understand the local language.

Richy could not blame anyone.

The decision to visit this foreign city was entirely hers.

She thought she would see and learn new things.

But, this was such a challenging exercise...

Photo Prompt- Lori Wilson

And then she remembered!

My Father's Tithi Birthday- Bamana Janma and Onam

Today is a very auspicious day- The Dwadasi of Bhadra i.e. "the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Bhādra" is celebrated as "Bamana Janma" & "Onam."

Today is the tithi birthday of my father, Shri A.K.Sabat Finance Guru - CA AK Sabat.
Papa was born on this day (& not date).
May Mahaprabhu bless him with great health and happiness and fulfill all his wishes🙏

Papa at the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Agara, Bengaluru

They Sailed, They Conquered

They had set their eyes & dreams,

They wanted to explore new realms!

They had to conquer the seas,

They were willing to pay hefty fees.

The sea seemed vast and rough,

They were intrepid and tough.

They constructed vessels to sail,

Skills & constant efforts never fail!

Pattachitra - Art of Odisha depiciting Bali Jatra

Think Out Of The Box

"I’ve checked each and every box; there’s no trace of the drugs."

The officer-in-charge, O, told the detective, D.

 

Photo Prompt- David Stewart

"O! Don't you know? This is a smart move by the drug cartel to make the case slow!" 

"Think out of the box; don't go with the flow!"

Guru Padmasambhava- The Seven Line Prayer with Uddiyana- Odisha, India

Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, is hailed as the "Second Buddha".

He belonged to Uddiyana or Oddiyana. That is why he is called- Uddiyana Guru Padmasambhava.

Uddiyana refers to Odisha, India.

Book by Sri Prabir Kumar Pattanaik;BK Publications 

As per the Wikipedia-

Guru Padmasambhava's place of birth is disputed.

Most scholars believe he was born in the Swat Valley, Pakistan.

The Sign of The Soul

While on a long car journey, little Chiku was impressed with the signboards.

There were quite a number.

Photo Prompt - Dale Rogerson

He was excited to read them aloud.

When their car stopped to make way for a gaggle of geese on the road, he read- 'Art Gallery.'

Photo Prompt - Jennifer Pendergast

Udiyana and Oddiyana - Modern Day Odisha, India

Guru Padmasambhava is revered across the world. He is also called Guru Rinpoche. 

There are several texts about him. Udiyana or Oddiyana is believed to be his birthplace.

While looking for Udiyana and Oddiyana, the above image and the following posts on X (Twitter) were accessed:

Fight For What Is Right

Do not keep quiet.

Do not just sit tight.

Do not take it light.

Do not accept plight.

Guru Padmasambhava - International Conference At Nalanda

The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara organized a two-day International Conference, "Exploring the Life and Living Legacy of Guru Padmasambhava."

The two-day International Conference on "Exploring the Life and Living Legacy of Guru Padmasambhava" is scheduled for August 28-29, 2024, at Nava Nalanda Mahavihara in Bihar, India. Organized by the International Buddhist Confederation in collaboration with @nnmnalanda under the… pic.twitter.com/HZZeKHg3Qo

— International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) (@IbcWorldOrg) August 27, 2024

This conference was held on 28th and 29th August 2024 at Nalanda, Bihar. 

Orixa, Orissa, Oddiyana, and Odisha

Odisha, a state in Eastern India, has had many names and references in the past.

We have discussed some of them in this post-

Utkala, Kalinga, Orissa - Some Names of Odisha - 

https://www.anitaexplorer.com/2018/04/utkala-kalinga-orissa-some-names-of.html

ORIXA

"Orixa" is another name of Odisha.

It is shown in the following map of 1711 by Samuel Thornton-

Source: themaphouse.com

She Can Be You Or Me

She leaves her home to stay with her man,

She adopts the new & does the best she can.

She sacrifices her dreams at the drop of a hat,

She accepts all & willingly becomes a doormat.

Source: X (Twitter)

Padma Shri Kamala Pujari Maa

 When I first met her, I was struck by her simplicity and dazzling smile.

It was 27 May 2017 & the event was the YES We Can Change Agents Awards Function- "Be The Change"-2- "Lesser Known Change Agents of Odisha."

Earlier, Sri Sisir Sahoo Sahoo had spoken highly of "Kamala Maa." She was a Change Agent in Be The Change-1. Her information was published in the in the fist book of change-agents by the Yes We Can team.

Copied Ikat Motifs And Handloom Saree Designs

Ikat is a technique of tie-and-dye of handlooms.

Some Indian states have the Geographical Indication (GI) tags for their own unique and special Ikat.

This includes-

Odisha- Orissa Ikat, Sambalpuri Bandha Saree and Fabrics, Khandua Saree and Fabrics;

Telangana- Pochampally Ikat; Telia Rumal;

Gujarat- Patan Patola

Can you identify this Ikat?

Hati Besha or Gaja Besha

Hati Besha or Gaja Besha or the Gajanana Besha is represented on Snana Purnima as a part of the Snana Jatra tradition.

GAJA or Hati means- "Elephant"
It also signifies Shree Ganesha.

The first four letters of Jagannatha Mahaprabhu- JAGA.

It may be noted that GAJA and JAGA have the same four English letters/alphabets.

The principal servitor of Shree Jagannatha is "Puri Gajapati" i.e. the King of Puri.

Deba Snana Purnima and Snana Jatra

Deba Snana Purnima & Snana Jatra is being celebrated today.

Each year, the English calendar celebration date differs as Snana Jatra is celebrated on the tithi day.

Like the others, Ratha Jatra, Bahuda Jatra, etc., the tithi dates are on different English calendar dates each year.

In the year 2020, on this particular date- June 22, after Mahaprabhu's direction, the Supreme Court of India reconsidered the decision (initially that had ruled out the celebration of Ratha Jatra 2020 owing to Covid); after Mahaprabhu's intervention, Ratha Jatra commenced on June 23, 2020.

This year, Ratha Jatra is on July 7th.

Today- Snana Purnima- is Shree Jagannatha's "appearance day" or birthday.

Witnessing the Snana Jatra is considered very auspicious.

Snana means- Bath

Jatra means- Journey

Jatra also refers to festival

Deities take bath every day, but without having to visit the Snana Bedi or Mandapa within the Shreemandira.

International Day of Yoga 2024

Proud to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga today- on June 21st.

The 2024 Theme is: "Yoga for Self and Society."

Yoga represents:
- the harmony of mind and body,
- the balance between thought and action, &
- the unity of restraint and fulfillment.

Snana Jatra or Snana Purnima and Gajanana Besha or Hati Besha

Deba Snana Purnima or Snana Purnima is on June 22nd this year.

It is also called the Jyeshtha Purnima as it is in the "Jyeshtha" month.

It is also called Snana Jatra. The name has the term "jatra," which means "journey."

Snana Jatra means the journey to take a bath.

It is no ordinary journey or bath as this is related to the sibling deities - Shree Jagannatha, Shree Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. As we know, everything about them is grand.

They are moved from their Ratna bedi to the Snana Mandapa in a Pahandi just like during Ratha Jatra. The difference is that this movement - Snana Jatra - is within the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri.

During Ratha Jatra, the deities move out of the Shreemandira.

I had written a previous post on Snana Purnima in 2022-

"Snana Yatra and Gajanan Besha"-

https://www.anitaexplorer.com/2022/06/snana-yatra-and-gajanan-besha.html

I have felt guilty (and still feel guilty) about using words such as "Yatra" instead of "Jatra" in the past.

Using the local word "Jatra" will be true to the Odia spelling and pronunciation.

Today, while searching online, I found that most articles and reports—including my own blog post mentioned above — have used "Snana Yatra" as the name.

I used "Yatra" in the name as it is more widely known, and people would find my Snana Jatra post if and when they searched.

Raja Parba - Festival of Odisha That Celebrates Menstruation, Womanhood, Fertility and Life

Greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of Basumati Snana🙏🏽
Basumati means- Goddess Earth.
Snana means- Bath.
After the Raja festival, Goddess Earth is bathed and worshipped today.

Bhudebi Maa - Mother Goddess Earth

Bathing and Holy Dip in Culture

Bathing is very important in our culture. It signifies purification.

Devotees bathe and wear good clothes before visiting any sacred site or performing Puja. It is God's grace that some extremely cold places, like Badrinath, have natural hot water, facilitating the

bathing and sanitation of the devotees.

Devotees visit religious sites to take holy dips e.g. for Ganga Dussehra (it was yesterday), many devotees took a holy dip in the Ganga.

O Maria!

The latest art exhibition in town featured a famous artist whose name was familiar to Maria.

He had been her classmate in junior school! 

Then, he was transferred elsewhere.

Later, Maria found him featured in the media.

She started following his work.

She always felt proud of his achievements.

Photo Prompt- Roger Bultot

The Spaceship

A cake competition was announced.

As an expert baker with years of baking experience, she registered.

Photo prompt- Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Apart from the preparation process and quality, the contestants would be judged by their cakes' unique ideas.

With stars in her eyes, she set out to bake a cake that was out of this world!

After an entire day's work, her spaceship cake creation was ready!

Photo Prompt- Mr. Binks

The Light of The Tower

Rosy thought of new stories to keep her daughter engaged.

From their terrace, they could see a beautiful tower.

During the day, the tower sparkled with sun-rays.

Rosy narrated how a princess stayed there and the sun sent her gifts- light!

Her daughter said that the sun also sent them gifts and their terrace too had light!

Photo Prompt- Dale Rogerson

During the night, they saw the dark tower.

Six Degrees Cooler

 She was the coolest one for everyone.

It was not just about her looks.

She dressed uniquely.

She thought and spoke differently.

She was eco-friendly.

The sustainability champion clicked with everyone.

She was a great hostess too.

She hosted parties, events and get-togethers.

Everyone wanted to be friends with her.

They knew that would earn them invites and access to her cool place.

Photo Prompt- Lisa Fox

Odia in Festival of Indian Languages

"The explosion of media over the past two decades means local stories can be told in local languages at a mass level in ways that was impossible in the past.

In print. On radio. On TV. Online. On digital video. Even on hoardings. As the regional language pipes grow, brands have wonderful new avenues via which they can speak to their consumers.

Festival of Indian Languages (FOIL) is a conference that will try to paint the linguistic patchwork that keeps together the magical idea of India.

Are we tapping all the opportunities that localisation of language offers? What more could we do? FOIL is the first such multimedia conference in the country that explores the power of local languages in mass media. It has been organised by afaqs!"

Languages are special.

Languages keep us connected.

They truly provide a "linguistic patchwork." 

The Ted Talk

In a clubhouse, members were sharing their childhood memories.

Sara shared about her best friend- Ted.

Ted listened to Sara attentively, played whichever game she wanted, and threw no tantrums.

 

Actually, Ted could not speak.

Sara tried to get Ted to talk.

Ted had lost his voice.

Doctors had given up hope.

Sara persisted.

Photo Prompt- Ted Strutz

Online Scams, Cyber Fraud and Safe Digital Banking

With the advent of digital media, online cheating and scams are commonplace now. Users need to be aware to exercise caution and refrain from falling for tempting offers and clicking suspicious links.

If it looks too good to be true, it truly isn't true.

It is said- "All that glitters is not gold."

Indian banks, other institutions, and individuals have been sharing the need to be cautious about glittering deals and offers.

Through its public awareness initiative, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has been sharing a series of communication- "RBI Kehta Hai... Jaankar Baniye, Satark Rahiye".

In English, it means- "RBI says... Be Aware, Stay Cautious."

In other words- "Safe Digital Banking starts with you. Transact Safely."

Source: RBI Kehta Hai

More details here- https://rbikehtahai.rbi.org.in/ 

World Copyright Day

April 23rd is "World Book Day" & "World Copyright Day".

To all the shameless copycats, here's what I wanna say-

Stop plagiarism & passing others' work as your own.
Do you have no original ideas/thoughts/views or tone?
Are you so pathetic that only for copying you are fit?
Please either become original or else give due credit🙏

The Tree Mystery

Lisa went to their garden with her notebook.

Being inspired by nature, she wanted to write a story for “Earth Day”.

She settled in the cool shade of their mango tree.

She spotted a well-crafted tiny door attached to the tree trunk in front.

 

Photo Prompt- Fleur Lind

Who lived there?

Should she open the door and check?

Odia New Year: Pana Sankranti - Mahabishuba Sankranti

The Odia New Year is called Pana Sankranti or Mahabishuba Sankranti.

Details about Pana Sankranti are in my previous blog posts here.

This time let us all ensure correct representation in our social media posts.

As per the Purnachandra Odia Bhashakosha, an Odisha encyclopedia- a monumental 7-volume work of about 9,500 pages published between 1930 and 1940 by an illustrious son of Odisha, Sri Gopal Chandra Praharaj (1874-1945):

 ବିଷୁବ ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି— Bishuba Samkrāntiସଂ. ବି—ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ବର୍ଷକରେ ଯେଉଁ ଦିନଦ୍ୱୟ ବିଷୁବ ରେଖା ଉପରେ ଗମନ କରନ୍ତି; ତହିଁର ପରବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି ଦ୍ୱୟ; ଜଳବିଷୁବ ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି ଓ ମହାବିଷୁବ ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି; ବର୍ଷକରେ ଯେଉଁ ଦିନଦ୍ୱୟ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ପ୍ରଥମେ ଯଥା— କ୍ରମେ ମେଷ ରାଶିକୁ ଓ ତୁଳ ରାଶିକୁ ସଂକ୍ରମଣ (ଗମନ) କରନ୍ତି—The two Saṁkrānti days in the year falling after the equinoxes; the passage of the sun to the next sign at the vernal and autumnal equinoxes; the passage of the sun to the first points of Aries and Libra after the vernal and autumnal equinoxes; the equinoxial passage (Apte).

ବିଷୁବ— Bishuba3। ମେଷ ବା ବୈଶାଖ ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି; ପଣା ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି; ମହାବିଷୁବ ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି—3. The Saṁkrānti or the 1st day of the month of solar Ba̲i̱ṡākha; the first point of Aries which the sun enters after the vernal equinox (Apte).

Chhenapoda and Podapitha - Foods of Odisha

Chhenapoda is a delectable dessert of Odisha that is prepared by using Chhena (cottage-cheese).

More information about Chhenapoda in my previous posts here.

There is a lot of misinformation regarding Chhenapoda.

More awareness is needed.

What is the name of the following bhoga?

Source

The Hidden Treasure

Mili was visiting her grandparents’ home.

They had passed away...

Though Mili was visiting after many years, she saw that not much had changed in their home.

There was still no air-conditioner or television.

As a kid, Mili never missed electronic devices whenever she visited her grandparents.

They played many board games together.

She loved listening to their stories.

Many memories came flooding her mind.

Photo Prompt- Susan Rouchard

The Bridge of Diligence

 The villagers had always wanted a bridge.

During the rainy season, boatmen either didn’t come or didn't dare to ferry passengers.

School students suffered.

Some diligent students, who didn't want to miss school, used to swim to attend school.

The villagers had communicated during meetings with politicians.

All letters to leaders had been in vain.

Governments came and went; the river had no bridge…

-x-

Photo Prompt- Sandra Crook

Manifestation Magic

Imparting dance lessons to Persons With Disability (PWD) was tough.

She trained them wonderfully.

Photo Prompt- Dale Rogerson

She knew nothing was impossible.

Her dream University beckoned.

She often saw the building through her netted-curtain.

Photo Prompt- Roger Bultot

It was always there in front of her.

In her last attempt, she was rejected.

The Beach Rider

They had challenged her that she could never learn to ride a bicycle.

"You are already so old!"

"If you fall while learning to ride a bicycle, your broken bones are not going to heal easily!"

They all taunted her!

--x--

The choice was hers.

The field was hers.

She started earnestly.

It was tough with arthritis...

Photo Prompt- Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

The Spelling of Rasabali In Odia

 Rasabali is a cottage cheese-based dessert of Odisha.

"Kendrapara Rasabali" has the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

When I first started working for this GI, I looked for the spelling of this word- Rasabali- not only in English, but in Odia also.

As "Rasavali" too is derived from Sanskrit, and there the letter "v" is used instead of "b".

Rasavali was born in the temple of Baldev Ji in Kendrapara. It is a delicious dessert. It is a famous food all over Odisha. It has a long history of being born in Odisha and it is an Oriya food. It can make the world famous as an Oriya food by getting the GI tag#saveodiafood pic.twitter.com/a1g20SLuNP

— 💖Odia food & sweets💖 (@_odia_food_) March 2, 2022

When I first consulted with scholars and language experts, those with a strong Sanskrit background advocated the usage of "Rasavali" in the name.

However, the usage of "b" i.e. Rasabali is more common in Odia.

Many of the sellers are already using - "Rasabali" as the name.

As we must be true to our local spelling and name, being "vocal for local", we settled for "Rasabali."

The name of "Kendrapara" was also discussed and went ahead with "Kendrapara" as the district name is - Kendrapara (and not Kendrapada).

These blog posts have more about our Rasabali GI outreach-

http://www.anitaexplorer.com/2020/07/kendrapada-rasabali.html

http://www.anitaexplorer.com/2023/09/does-rasabali-have-hole-like-doughnut.html

https://www.anitaexplorer.com/2023/10/kendrapara-rasabali-gi-tag-of-odisha.html

After my facilitation for the "Kendrapara Rasabali" GI and despite personally informing the stakeholders multiple times about the need for "correct representation", it was disappointing to find that the GI application had been submitted and the logo had been applied that too with the wrong information and spellings of product, applicants, place etc -