Annular Solar Eclipse – The Rare Dance Of The Ring Of Fire

By Meera

---

Video Credit: Revanth Rajeev

It was the thought of ‘Ring of Fire’ that kept me awake throughout the night and I was hopeful of seeing it properly even if it was a cloudy day and the sky was not clear. Thousands of people across many cities were glued to the skies through various formats – if some were at planetariums, astrophysics centers, others congregated in small selective gatherings at river banks, educational institutions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The deadly virus did not dampen the spirits of many who managed to get a plethora of celestial images of the annular solar eclipse on June 21 from various places across India.

Konark Temple -The Intricate Designs Of Day To Day Life

By Meera

---

It is not just the erotic figures that dominate the Konark temple, but the everyday life of the common man has been etched in every wall and mandap. It takes a lot of time to see this temple as right from the base of the temple to the first floor, the outer walls are covered with different kinds of carvings. Now each set of big figures are decorated and embellished by rangoli patterns.

Konark Temple – Unparalleled Carvings From An Open Society

By Meera

---

Although the Konark Temple may be famous for its sundials thereby, attracting many connoisseurs to study the unique chariot wheels, there are many other aspects to this temple that one needs to study which is possible only through keen observation. The detailed description of life through its carvings on this temple is in fact, unparalleled and one cannot find such a description of  life anywhere in the world.

Konark Temple –The Mysterious Time Keeper On The Eastern Coast

By Meera

---

It was more than a century ago that the workings of the sun dials, that is the stone chariot wheels of Konark Temple was discovered. It is said some yogis and sadhus were seen calculating and deciphering the sun dial but they would not reveal the actual functioning of the complicated structure. One thing which everyone knew was these wheels are sun dials and it can accurately measure time to the minute which our guide clearly did and demonstrated it to us.

Konark Temple - Tick Tocking For Centuries

By Meera

---

With many monuments and temples in India lying in a state of ruin and having fallen prey to marauding invaders, looters and cultural destroyers from foreign lands since the 9th century – thousands of such heritage structures come to mind be it in Delhi, Hampi Varanasi, Srinagar or Dwarka. Some have been restored while some have been forgotten and lost forever.

Koodli - Where Tungabhadra Begins Her Journey

By Tharangini

---

For part I click here.

The two trees and a shrine on the northern side of the temple

After the pooja  we stepped out through the northern door that led us to a small lawn. Two massive trees fast outgrowing the cemented seat at the base of their trunks stood there. The warriors from days of yore, immortalized in the hero stones, were resting here, weather worn and telling stories of their life and death. Those few who have the time and patience to linger a bit longer in their presence, might get to learn more about these centuries old brave-hearts who lay down their lives for various noble causes.

Koodli - The Ramesvara Temple

By Tharangini

---

This was the last visit for the day. The universe has a way of bringing us to the right place at the right time, even if we are oblivious to its ways of working. This was one such visit and I was one such oblivious soul.

We were in Koodli at the Ramesvara temple, near the  point where the rivers Tunga and Bhadra join to embark on their journey together as Tungabhadra - an incredibly holy place. Also the place where people come to offer prayers and bid adieu to their loved ones. The place harboring a very different kind of energy, with Koodli literally meaning  'the confluence', the name itself says everything.

Koodli Ramesvara Temple