Beauty Of Odisha: Textiles And Temples
- December 24, 2022
Odisha is one of the most colorful and vibrant states of India, with its diversely influenced architecture, exceptionally delicious cuisine, a multifarious culture and a vast amount of beauty. It has the combination of Buddhist and early Hindu traditions which reflect upon the shaping of its temples, even as they actively narrate underlying stories of its tribal culture and village craft production. Also known as the soul of India, Odisha is embellished with breathtaking marvels of nature such as gushing waterfalls and spotless silvery beaches, and helps you maintain just the perfect balance between adventure and wonder.
Owing to such an excellent history, the state has some of the most enchanting temples of India. Here is a list of the ones you must visit as soon as you possibly can-
1) Jagannath Temple, Puri
Built somewhere near 1078, this temple is of supreme importance to hindu devotees from all over the world because it is one of the char-dham pilgrimages mentioned in the scriptures. Charmed by myth and lore, the Jagannath temple might also appeal to your curious gray cells if you often find yourself enraptured by strange mysteries explained using divine intervention.
The Jagannath temple is believed to have no shadow whatsoever during any time of the day. Furthermore, the temple complex itself is built in such a way that the moment you step inside, the audibility of the ocean waves nearby just vanishes and does not return unless you exit the place. Millions of people from all over the world come to the temple almost every other day to offer their prayers and receive the blessings of the almighty.
The temple is also popular worldwide for its Rath Yatra which is based around rituals involving the deities located inside.
2) The Sun Temple, Konark
Also known as Surya Devalaya or the Black PagodaIt, it was built in the shape of Lord Surya’s chariot in the 13th century and is renowned for its evidently brilliant work of architecture. What most people remember about this temple, however, is the amount of erotic inscriptions on its wall. If that does not mesmerize you then pay attention to this- it also has geometrical patterns and a sundial that accurately tell the time during day and night and are cited as the inspiration behind the dial of the wrist watch. Its marvelous nature and phenomenal structure have made it a UNESCO world heritage site and it is open for visitations from 6am to 8pm.
The sun temple is a true marvel to behold and a sight you must witness firsthand, on your own, to let it catch you off guard as you let it wash over you entirely.
3) Lingaraja Temple, Bhubaneshwar
Lingaraja is quite literally the largest temple not only in the city of Bhubaneswar, but also in the entire state of Odisha. It is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva and even though its year of building remains unclear, it is assumed to be somewhere around the 8th century. Most devouts believe that the water from the tank inside the temple actually contains within itself a vast amount of healing powers that have the potential to cure any physical injuries whatsoever.
4) Rajarani Temple- The Love Temple
Breaking the stereotypes associated with temples, Rajarani has no deities or sculptures whatsoever inside. All it has are erotic carvings of both men and women, captured in the most intimate situations possible. This is quite interesting to note because it indicates the openness with sexuality that the society maintained in as early as the 11th century.
The temple is made of red sandstone and is covered with gorgeous inscriptions. Its beauty can be appreciated by anyone regardless of their caste or gender because it is not confined within the locus of a specific community, but instead, speaks to all of them.
Now that a certain number of temples has been established so far, we would also like to take you through some of our most recommended textiles available in Odisha.
The handloom industry of Odisha is easily the most ancient and largest industry in India and operates on a similar tangent in terms of regular growth and development even today. It forms the backbone of Odisha’s economy and sustains thousands of weavers and artisans with an undeniably inspiring amount of talent and vision.
Tryst Of Textiles
1) Berhampuri Patta
It is an original product from Berhampur, the silk city of India. Berhampuri Patta has jaw-dropping zari borders that will compliment any outfit that you adorn by bringing out their most incredible qualities and factors. The clothes made for the deities in the Jagannath temple are made of this exact material and are worn on weddings and during really special occasions by mortals. It is also famous for its temple-like design and considerably large pallu portion.
2) Kotpad
Kotpad clothes are vegetable-dyed fabric weaved and stitched together by the tribal Morgan community of Kotpad village in the Koraput district of Orissa. Kotpad sarees usually tend to come in two colors alone which are black and maroon and yet they are amazingly eco friendly, pleasant and have a slight hint of shine which makes their beauty so very ethereal. If you are not already convinced to get yourself one too, here is something that might help you make the choice really quickly- you can wear them during both summers and winters without losing your touch with the outer world!
3) Habaspuri
Habaspuri is a cotton handloom of Odisha and is mainly used to make sarees. It has a strangely unique process. It is uniquely woven, designed and produced and is, for that reason alone, known to be one of the 14 geographical indications of Odisha. It has patterns such as fish, flowers and the temples of Odisha which are intricate to the place itself and thus carries within itself the soul of the state in a beautifully captured and implemented manner. It was named after the village of Habaspur where it was originally woven in 19 CE.
If you go visit the beautiful duluri river specifically, you will cross many pine forests on your way which will take your breath away with their surreal grace and beauty. The river side itself is very quiet, serene and introspective. It lets you sit still with your own thoughts as you delve into the wonder that nature is, at its most natural and undisturbed. You can simply just sit near the gushing waters of the river, sparkling with aquatic life, listen to the sounds of the forest and feel at peace with everything that you are currently and everything that you are slowly starting to begin.
The pine forests offer a strange sense of wisdom and solace to you that remains unmatched otherwise, and the river serves as a great listener, allowing you to come undone around it, assuring you that it will still not think of you any differently and life will continue moving forward much like the perennial flow of the river itself.
Daringabdi is truly a gem of a place in Odisha and has an endless amount of love, experiences, joy, kindness and compassion to offer to all those who genuinely choose to become a part of that. It is gorgeous, aesthetically pleasant for photographers and gives you the space you need to make the most out of life itself.
1) Berhampuri Patta
Framed by multiple coupled trees, the village of Raghurajpur is one of the most beautiful craft villages in India. It has a heartwarmingly traditional culture of craft making and most villagers invest in the performance in its entirety to ensure it does not stop existing. The works are mostly inspired by the temples and other attractions of the state of Odisha, and have their own stories to tell. Almost every household is covered in art and decorated by craft.
Pipli is another phenomenal village in Odisha that is famous for its applique work, which is essentially carried out by stitching and embroidering different pieces of cloth that are based on the most amazing decorative items such as umbrellas, pouches, wallets, mirrors etc. Take them with you to add a certain twist and change to your homes in the best way possible.
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