Kalinga stone: Konark, Puri and the heritage sites of Odisha

Background

Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is a city of many Hindu temples, among them the Lingaraj Temple. The temple architecture of the State is built in the Kalinga style, whose intricacies have drawn pilgrims and art enthusiasts for centuries. The Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is dedicated to the sun god Surya and is designed in the shape of a colossal chariot, complete with intricately carved wheels and sculptures. The Jagannath Temple in Puri draws millions of devotees and tourists each year, with towering spires and intricate carvings. At the Rath Yatra in Puri the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are carried in grand chariots. The Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves near Bhubaneswar are rock-cut caves that date back to the 2nd century BCE and offer a glimpse into the ascetic life of Jain monks, with carvings, meditation cells and ancient inscriptions. The Konark Dance Festival is held against the backdrop of the Konark Sun Temple and showcases classical dance forms from across India. Raghurajpur is a quaint village known for its Pattachitra art. The coastline of Odisha stretches for over 480 kilometres, with Puri Beach and Gopalpur-on-Sea among its best known stretches.