Heritage Trip Organised for the First Year B.Tech Students
Udayagiri Khandagiri and Barunei
The drizzle which lasted throughout the day failed to affect the enthusiasm of freshers who were taken to Khandagiri, Udayagiri and Barunei. They were first taken to the Barunei hills and Ma-Barunei temple which is very next to the campus and having menions in both mythology and Indian freedom struggle. The half an hour ride from Barunei to Udayagiri Jain caves and Khandagiri was very much enjoyed by the students. The Jain caves of Udayagiri, buit around 1st century BC gave a whole new experience and knowledge about the architectural sophistication which we had. The view of the city from the top most point will amaze anyone. It makes us realize that all those who visit these places escapes from the hectic city-life to peace and sanity. Two guides took the students around and explained them about the architectural patters, the lifestyle they followed, the artworks and scripts engraved on the stones. After Udayigiri, they were taken to Khandagiri which situated right opposite to it. By the time we were atop the rocks to enter the temple, the rain had a slow gain in its pace but again had no effect on anyone. Overall, the trip gifted them with glimpses into the past, and a perfect occasion to interact with each other and explore something together.
Konark
The trip to Konark was a beautiful journey with fields and trees of different shades of green. The Sun Temple of Konark which was built in the 12th century and took 12 years for the craftsmen to build is a stone-carved monument with beautiful sculptures, pillars and wheels. It is believed that the temple was built by king Narasimhadeva I of Eastern Ganga Dynasty in 1255 CE. One gets to experience the Kalingan style of architecture here. The height of the temple is only 30m now while the actual temple was almost 230 m high. It is said that the temple was destroyed by a storm which is due to defects in constructing the monument while the actual reason is not known. The guide explained the history and details of the temple very effectively with which we could gain knowledge about this historical monument. We got to know the most interesting detail of the monument, that is, to calculate time. It was a wonderful experience.
Dhauli
The heritage trip to Dhauli was a memorable experience for all the first year students, as they got to witness the scene of the great battle of Kalinga. The guide explained in detail the significance of the battle, and its aftermath that turned Ashok from an unstoppable force to a peaceful Bhuddist. The students witnessed the stone carving left by the great king, and then moved on to the stupa.
The stupa is indeed an excellent masterpiece of architecture. Standing tall in magnificent white, it is studded with four stunning statues of Gautam Buddha, one in each direction. All the students stood in awe of the structure, and left the place with some very memorable experiences and photos.
Ekamara Walk
The Ekamara Heritage Walk in the Old Town of Bhubaneswar is a true testament to the city’s reputation as the “Temple City of India”. The exotic place with its magnificent shrines and one of the largest clusters of breathtaking temples has a quality of transporting you back in time. With the early eastern sunlight shining on the intricately carved monolithic arches and stone walls of the temples, the marvellous beauty of Kalinga architecture created a lasting impression on all. Enthusiastic guides led the group to several different locations, explaining the architectural and spiritual significance of each. The Mukteswar Temple, the Parsurameswar Temple, the Lingaraj Temple, the Chitrakarini Temple, the Kotitirtheswara Temple, the Sari Deul, and the Vaital Deul were among the places of worship visited, along with the Dharmasala Heritage Building, the Matha Old Monastery and the Ekamravan Herbal Garden. This little community, centred on the Bindusagar Lake, was rife with bustling alleyways, busy marketplaces and beautifully preserved houses which provided valuable insights into the life of the local settlements. On the whole, the tour presented an awe-inspiring picture of Bhubaneswar’s rich history, culture and heritage.
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