u/Manoj_Mishra

My mind becomes a boiling pot whenever I think of the 'Neela Chakra' installed on the top of the Mahaprabhu Jagannath temple at Puri, Odisha,India. I never become able to arrive at any concrete conclusion.

The Enigma of The Neela Chakra( Blue Wheel)

I used to think about three particular aspects....how such a humongous alloy( weight of Neela Chakra is 2200 kg) of eight different metals was lifted up to such an astounding height( 214 feet) thousand years back...and that to only by human muscle power without the help of crane or else any modern day machine !!!

The temple builders were certainly aware about the crude metallurgical treatment of different metals so as to make such a huge alloy ( Neela Chakra)!!!!

No matter from which direction you approach the temple, the appearance of the Neela Chakra remains same.It's like appearing to be identical from each direction.

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2022/04/08/most-impressive-weapon-of-shree-vishnu/

#Neela Chakra #Bluewheel #JagannathTemple #Puri #Sudarshana

I find a striking resemblance in between the elongated earlobe of a Jain Shashan Devi ( sculpted inside the cave of Khandagiri) and that of a Soura tribal lady.

Women of the Soura tribe can be handily perceived by the huge wooden ear discs that they wear. For details about the varieties of tribal jewellery, you can go through the following article.

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2021/05/29/a-few-of-the-widely-used-ethnic-tribal-jewellery-of-odisha-east-india/

There is a difference in the description of the goddess Barahi in Vaishnavism and Shaktism.

The Vaishnava texts describe Goddess Barahi as the Shakti of Baraha ( incarnation of lord Vishnu) whereas the Shakta scriptures refer Barahi as the mother of Baraha.

In Vaishnavism, Barahi is considered one of the sapta-matrikas or the seven mother goddesses, who are considered the consorts of the seven main gods of the Hindu pantheon. Barahi is often depicted as a boar-headed goddess and is associated with the goddess Lakshmi, who is the consort of Lord Vishnu. In this tradition, Barahi is worshipped as a protective divinity who can remove obstacles and provide material wealth and prosperity.

In Shaktism, Barahi is considered one of the ten Mahavidyas or the supreme goddesses. She is often depicted with the head of a boar and is associated with the energy of transformation and regeneration. In this tradition, Barahi is worshipped as a fierce and powerful goddess who can help Her devotees overcome obstacles, fears, and negative influences. She is also associated with the element of earth and is believed to have the power to grant material prosperity and abundance.

Baraha is said to be quiet and shy whereas Goddess Barahi is completely independent and fierce.Here in this context I would like to suggest you to go through the following two articles .#Varahitemple #Barahideula #Barahi #BarahiTemple #kalingatemplearchitecture #khakhara #chaurasi #Odisha #shaktishrine #parswadebata #sidedeity #Ganesh #Surya

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2021/12/21/a-glaring-example-of-khakhara-architecture-barahi-temple-chaurasi/

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2023/06/15/%e0%a4%a6%e0%a4%b6-%e0%a4%ae%e0%a4%b9%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%b5%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%a6%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%af%e0%a4%be-%e0%a4%95%e0%a5%80-%e0%a4%89%e0%a4%a4%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%aa%e0%a4%a4%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%a4%e0%a4%bf/

Handia may be otherwise referred as poorman's whisky.Yes ...Here I am talking about the widely consumed country made liquor ....that is none other than " Handia", which is prepared by the formentation of rice or millet. An annoying concern is the unreasonable assortment of plant ingredients that go into the creation of bakhar( being made available in different weekly tribal markets in capsule form)....that is the formenting agent.

During marriage or other celebrations and in the day to day routine life of the adivasis of different parts of Odisha, handia is widely consumed both as food and drink.Here I am posting a photo of the Paraja tribal ladies consuming handia in leaf plates during a marriage ceremony.

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2026/02/02/most-sought-after-country-made-liquors-primarily-brewed-by-tribal-communities-of-odisha/

Here I am submitting few of the exquisite sculptures of the Mukteshwar temple at Bhubaneswar ( Odisha, India). It was built during the tenth century AD. The presiding divinity of the temple is Lord Shiva venerated as Lord Mukteswara or Lord of Salvation. This temple is always referred as a " Miniature jewel" by students of history & archaeology for its perplexing and proportional craftsmanship.

The most distinguished factor of this temple is the Torana or the doorjamb which is perhaps the most praiseworthy and captured design structure in India . The dazzlingly cut mainstays of the angled door leaves travelers and guests awestruck with its incomparable accuracy and expertise.There lies an ancient solar clock in the garden of Mukteswar temple.

Solar Clock is a stone made structure that shows the time of day by means of the position, on a graduated plate or surface, of the shadow of the gnomon as cast by the sun.

For details on Kalingan temple architecture and their chronological details, please log in to the following link.

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2021/12/13/kalingan-temple-architecture-and-its-gradual-progression/

https://youtube.com/shorts/uITGYW0wlPM?si=N5SJn2uV2XYsNB4A

Kautilya's Arthashastra provides a detailed, authoritative, and theoretical framework for ancient Indian town planning and fortification, and Sisupalgarh in Odisha is widely considered by archaeologists to be a tangible, archaeological confirmation of these principles, specifically fort-dwelling concept. As recommended by Kautilya,

the site is a massive square enclosure with each side measuring over 1 kilometer. It was fortified with massive mud ramparts and a moat system, perfectly aligning with the "square" fortified city (with two entry points in each side )described in the text.

The Arthashastra was likely compiled between 300 BC – 300 AD, or earlier, and Sisupalgarh was a thriving city from roughly the 5th century BC to the 4th century AD. Here I have attached photos of the Sisupalgarh model shown in the state museum, Bhubaneswar.

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2022/02/13/sisupalgarh-a-mute-witness-of-odishas-rich-past/

Here I would like to present the image of another two inscriptions of the Ashokan era apart from the Dhauli rockcut Inscription at Bhubaneswar. One was found in the Jaugada ( Ganjam District) and another was found in the Kapileswar village near Bhubaneswar.

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2023/04/07/rock-cut-inscriptions-dhauli-vs-udayagiri/

Odisha's Lau Tumba crafts are traditional, eco-friendly works of art made from dried bottle gourds (lau). Tribal communities, particularly the Kondh, transform the gourds into functional items like containers and musical instruments (Ektara), as well as modern decor like lamps, jewelry, and wall hangings, which represent resourcefulness and sustainable living.

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2025/12/16/new-age-home-decor-lau-tumba-dried-bottle-gourd-shell-crafts/

Here you can see the image which shows the Shiva Tandav dance form of lord Shiva. This particular sculpture is there on the temple wall of Parshurameswar at Bhubaneswar.

The Shiva Tandava dance is often accompanied by the "Shiva Tandava Stotram", a famous hymn composed by Ravana. This hymn praises Lord Shiva and is believed to enhance self-confidence and relieve one from the ill effects of Shani Dosha. Here I have given a link to study in detail about the different dancing Ganesh idols of Odisha.

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2022/04/13/very-unique-dancing-ganesh-idols-of-odisha/

This stone sculpture of Mahishasuramardini Maa Durga( 8th century AD) was earlier in Odisha. Now it is being displayed in the British museum . Most probably it was in the temple wall of Parshurameshwar temple, Bhubaneswar. Both the state government as well as the central government should take all the possible measures to get back our lost/ taken away sculptures. The state archaeology department and Archaeological Survey of India should go for documentation of our lost heritage. The British museum has clearly depicted it and several other sculptures ( taken away by them during colonial rule) in their website and it is in public domain.😪🥲#lostheritage #Maadurga #shakti #kalingatemplearchitecture #parsurameswartemple

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2021/12/13/kalingan-temple-architecture-and-its-gradual-progression/

Brahmeswara Temple at Bhubaneshwar is a thousand years old Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva . The Sculptures found here differs in size from a thumb size to lifesize figures. It is lavishly carved all around. This Hindu temple can be dated with reasonable precision by the utilization of inscriptions that were initially on the temple wall. They are presently lost, however records of them protect the data of around 1058 CE. The temple was constructed in the eighteenth regnal year of the Somavamsi ruler Udyotakesari by his mother Kolavati Devi, which relates to 1058 CE. Here are some panels of sculpture found in Brahmeswar temple. This is a PANCHAYATANA temple having four smaller temples on four corners.

You may log in to the following link so as to go through several other features of Kalingan temples. You may go through the following article to have a better understanding about the distinctive Kalingan temple architecture and it's gradual progression.#Brahmeswartemple #Kalinga #templearchitecture #templearchitectureofindia #kalingantemplearchitecture

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2023/11/10/bramheshwar-temple-firstuse-of-iron-beam-thousand-years-back/

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2021/12/13/kalingan-temple-architecture-and-its-gradual-progression/

Here I am giving a picture of an unique masterpiece of 8th c AD, Ardhanariswar( Half male and Half female God is a form of the Hindu deity Shiva combined with his consort Parvati) in the famous Vaital temple of old Bhubaneswar.. The presiding deity of Vaital temple is Chamunda. It is a Shakti shrine having Khakhara type Kalinga temple architecture.

It is also locally known as Tini-mundia deula due to the three spires on top of it, a very distinct and unusual feature. The three spires are believed to represent the three powers of the goddess Chamunda - Mahasaraswati, Mahalakshmi and Mahakali.

Here I am giving details about another khakhara type Kalinga temple architecture...i.e.Barahi temple at Chaurasi

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2021/12/21/a-glaring-example-of-khakhara-architecture-barahi-temple-chaurasi/

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2021/12/13/kalingan-temple-architecture-and-its-gradual-progression/

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Ancient Indian sculptures are a mix of artistic talent and mental excellence.Older empires who have ruled this part of earth have left behind miraculous creations which not only amaze Indians but have left outsiders spellbound. The time during which these sculptures were built had limited scope of manpower and reference of tools/ ideas. Please have a glance on those optical Illusion sculptures found in different temple walls through the given link.

#opticalillusion #illusions #temples #sculptures

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2022/10/27/optical-illusion-sculptures-in-indian-monuments/

While moving through the bylanes of the heritage crafts village Raghurajpur, I took certain pics which I think my friends would love to have a glance at. This village is home to a community of skilled artists who specialise in traditional art forms such as Pattachitra painting, palm leaf engraving, mask making and several others.

Patta means a well prepared surface ready for painting. Chitra means painting. Therefore Patta Chitras of Odisha mean Odishan pictorial art on a specially prepared surface. This is traditional cloth(may be tasar or canvas)based scroll painting of Raghurajpur ( a heritage craft village, near Puri, Odisha, India) artisans .Now a days , these patta paintings are being done in different parts of Odisha. You can go through the given article for details about our patta paintings. Several images of patta paintings have been appended for a better understanding.#Pattachitras #pattapaintings #Odisha #Raghurajpur #heritagecraftsvillages

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2021/05/02/rural-tourism-epitome-of-getting-lost-in-the-living-rural-culture/

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2024/03/17/unique-awesome-patta-chitras-our-painted-culture/

Kubera is the divine treasurer and the Hindu god of wealth who rules over the northern direction.He manages and distributes the earthly riches of the world, acting as the administrator of wealth bestowed by goddess Lakshmi.He rules over the semi-divine yakshas (nature spirits) who guard the earth's underground treasures, jewels, and minerals.

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2026/04/30/often-remembered-and-never-forgotten-ashta-digapalas-eight-guardian-deities/

Let me speak a few lines about another Buddhist God "Jambhala" who is considered the God of Wealth , having mongoose in his left hand and 'Nidhi Kumbhas' beneath his pedestal . He is the counterpart of the Hindu God Kubera , dating to the 9th century AD. You can go through the following article for a detailed understanding about the Buddhist Iconography.

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2026/03/14/the-exclusive-exhibits-of-ratnagiri-lalitagiri-museums/

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In Hindu iconography, Lord Ganesh, also known as Ganesha or Vinayaka, is often depicted on the left side of the Saptamatrika panel. The Saptamatrikas are a group of seven maternal deities, who are considered the consorts of the seven gods . The Saptamatrika panel is a sacred arrangement of these deities.

The positioning of Lord Ganesh on the left side of the Saptamatrika panel has symbolic significance. In Hinduism, the left side is traditionally associated with auspiciousness and prosperity. It is believed that by placing Ganesh on the left side, his divine qualities of wisdom, intelligence, and success are invoked and shared with the other deities in the panel.

Lord Ganesh is revered as the remover of obstacles and the lord of beginnings, and he is worshipped at the beginning of any auspicious event or ceremony. By placing him on the left side of the Saptamatrika panel, his presence is believed to enhance the auspiciousness and efficacy of the entire arrangement.

You can go through the following articles for further details..

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2022/04/13/very-unique-dancing-ganesh-idols-of-odisha/

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2021/12/21/a-glaring-example-of-khakhara-architecture-barahi-temple-chaurasi/

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2023/05/11/chamunda-the-most-terrifying-esoteric-goddess/

Weekly tribal markets in Odisha (known locally as haats or ହାଟ) are vibrant, traditional gatherings where indigenous communities trade forest produce, handicrafts, and livestock. Prominent markets include the bustling Friday market at Kunduli, the Bonda tribe's Thursday market at Onukudeli, and the Dongaria Kandha's Wednesday market at Chatikona.

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2026/06/08/a-confluence-of-tribal-cultures-at-odishas-weekly-tribal-marketshaats/

Here I am posting one unique sculpture of the female version of Lord Ganesh ( Image 1) depicted as a Yogini in the 64 Yogini Shrine at Hirapur . Another image shows the sculpture featured on a temple pillar or wall, a common architectural element in temples like those in Chidambaram or Kanchipuram. The figure is depicted in a dynamic dance pose, reminiscent of Nritya Ganapati (Dancing Ganesha), which is one of the 32 iconographic forms of Ganesha.

The female version of Lord Ganesha is known as Vinayaki, also called Ganeshani, Gajanani, or Vigneshwari. She is sometimes depicted as a Yogini and is considered the feminine aspect or Shakti of Lord Ganesha.

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2022/04/13/very-unique-dancing-ganesh-idols-of-odisha/

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2021/04/08/the-journey-of-fashion-portrayed-in-indias-ancient-art-and-sculptures-over-the-ages/

Here I am posting one unique sculpture of the female version of Lord Ganesh ( Image 1) depicted as a Yogini in the 64 Yogini Shrine at Hirapur . Another image shows the sculpture featured on a temple pillar or wall, a common architectural element in temples like those in Chidambaram or Kanchipuram. The figure is depicted in a dynamic dance pose, reminiscent of Nritya Ganapati (Dancing Ganesha), which is one of the 32 iconographic forms of Ganesha.

The female version of Lord Ganesha is known as Vinayaki, also called Ganeshani, Gajanani, or Vigneshwari. She is sometimes depicted as a Yogini and is considered the feminine aspect or Shakti of Lord Ganesha.

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2022/04/13/very-unique-dancing-ganesh-idols-of-odisha/

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2021/04/08/the-journey-of-fashion-portrayed-in-indias-ancient-art-and-sculptures-over-the-ages/

Here I am posting a sculpture of the Ratnagiri monastery site . The panel depicts the image of Yamuna, flanked by two attendants. The water body depicted below the feet in the form of wavy lines with her mound tortoise. Ratnagiri, Jajpur district of Odisha. You can go through the following article for a detailed understanding of Buddhist Iconography.

https://lunarsecstacy.com/2026/03/14/the-exclusive-exhibits-of-ratnagiri-lalitagiri-museums/