Ranipur Jharial in Balangir, Orissa

If you have passion for historical monuments having with some religious value, take a trip to Ranipur-Jharial, the twin village in Balangir district that houses some rare temples and structures. The 9^th century Indralath temple made off bricks, the Chausathi Yogini shrine, the Someswar Mahadev temple and the large Yantras, carved on the rock are the main attraction of this archeological site in the Bangomunda block and Titlagarh subdivision. Around 200 temples of different dimension are found here. A report by Himanshu Guru.

Background

Ranipur Jharial is mentioned as ‘Soma Tirtha’ in scriptures. Perhaps it takes the name from the Someshwar Mahadev temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, found on the rocks of this historical site. As per historians, the Somavanshi Keshari kings built many temples here that can be dated back to the 9th/10th century AD, however some other Historians assign date of the structures to 8th century A.D. Yet, at the top of all, it is unquestionably a place having with the ancient structures of historical and religious importance.

Exterior view of the 64 Yogini temple in Ranipur Jharial

The Chausathi Yogini shrine

Interior view of the 64 Yogini temple

The Chausathi Yogini shrine found in this site is a rock structure in round shape where idols of 64 Hindu deities, known as yoginis are witnessed. Actually we noticed there 62 idols. The shrine also has a rock statue with a perch in the middle, which is claimed as the idol of Lord Brahma. Unlike temples of other deities Brahma shrine is rarely found.




 
Indralath Brick temple

Indralath (Brick) temple

The unique structure, Indralath temple is one of the tallest ancient brick temples in the country. Height of this temple is 80 feet including the platform made off sand stone. While the ancient pinnacle of this temple is destroyed, the temple is more or less intact. The innermost sanctum of this temple houses a recently installed Linga and images of Lord Vishnu, Kartikeya and Uma-Maheshwara and Narasingha are also witnessed here.

Someshwar Mahadev temple

Someshwar Mahadev temple

The Someshwar temple here has images of Goddess Durga, a bull (transporter of Lord Shiva), and a Dwarapala. On the lintel of the entrance to the innermost room (Garbhagriha) Gajalaxmi is also seen besides the Shivalinga. On the entrance wall a deity possibly a Buddha or a Siddha in dhyana-mudra is found.

The Yantras

The Yantras

Yantras are a religious drawing which is believed to be the abode of the Gods and Goddesses and thus have much importance in worship. We know about Shree Yantra, Kuber Yantra etc. which are drawn on 2 inch square shape and placed at the worship place in a house. But here in Ranipur one can witness gigantic yantras carved on the rocks which is a rare scene. Some people claim these drawings related to Tantra.

How to Approach

Ranipur Jharial is located in the Bangomunda block at a distance of 110 kilometers from the district headquarter of Balangir district. It is 25 kms from Titilagarh, the nearest town. Nearest railway stations are Titilagarh Junction and Balangir to approach this destination. In road ways either come from Titilagarh or come from Balangir through Patnagarh, Kantabanji, Bangomunda and then a left turn at the ‘Golei chowk’ of Bangomunda. Then after travelling 2 kms take the kacha road of 8 km to reach the destination. Hired vehicles are available at Balangir and Titilagarh. For information and guidance one can call my friend Rashmiranjan Putel, a media personnel (Ph. +91 9938596595) of Bangomunda.

Facilities

Boating in water park in Ranipur Jharial

Hired Boating facility in the nearby river is recently launched in Ranipur Jharial where one can take a ride in the blue water to have a glimpse of the number of temples on the rocks from the water body. A park has also been built that houses few animals too. However, there is no hotels or eatery right at the destination and one should plan (for a to and fro journey) accordingly.




Best time to visit


Ranipur Jharial can be visited across the year. However, as such the temperature of Balangir district rises to a considerable extent during summer and the structures are purely on rock without any flora and fauna, visiting this place in summer may earn lot of difficulties due to the extreme heat. Thus, visit to this place during tough days of summer are not recommended.

Little Flowers in Big Trouble

Child is like a flower that needs to be brought up with much care, attention and affection. But unfortunately a number of children befall victims of big troubles including trafficking, abuse, health deterioration etc. It is the collective responsibility of the society to think seriously for this vulnerable community of society. Despite a series of government laws and schemes, effort by NGOs and some other entities, children are yet to get more. Himanshu Guru lately visited Basudevpur, a village in Puri district to evaluate position of children community there and herewith reports their plight.

Children interacting with media in Basudevpur

Subhashree Pradhan

Subhashree Pradhan, a student of Kanakdurga High School in Basudevpur informs that the route to their school that connects with a nearby hamlet, from where around 100 numbers of students regularly come to the school, was not safe for the girls as it was merely a ‘Junglee’ path with lots of bushes on the road. Even the connecting bridge was an old wooden one and the problem was never taken up. In 2011 a group of activists from a NGO named ‘Save the Children’ visited their village to interact with the children. They educated about child rights and persuaded the children to fight for their own cause.  

Accordingly Pradhan and her student friends created a child group and put the problems before the village Sarpanch. Initially they were ignored but later the elderly people felt that children should also be given a chance to tell about their problems. Ultimately their plight was taken up and a sum was allocated for a concrete bridge. It was a success story for which the children group must be petted but the story does not end there.

Sona S. Singhar

Sona Samant Singhar (12), a student of class 9 complains that there are three peons in their school but the students are still engaged in works including sweeping of the class rooms. Mamata Jena (13) of class 8 intimated that the village does not have a health centre besides a private one and so they face a lot of problems. 

Shibanishankar Mishra (14) of class 9 complains that there is no boundary wall in the school and we find empty wine bottles everyday in the premises. Is it not the right time to take up these problems?

Shibani S. Mishra

Interestingly, despite hurdles some student became successful in creating student groups and these days they are also allowed to take part in the ‘Palli Sabha’, where people of a village sit and discuss about community problems and to take a measure. After being intimated about child rights they are now running child groups to take up different problems and wanted to give the credit to ‘Save the Children’ and ‘Open learning System’.

During this field visit of the blogger (Himanshu Guru) he not only heard the students but also wanted to know opinion of the Sarpanch, elderly people of the village and the activists. When asked about their point of view on children, Prananath Sasmal, Sarpanch and other seniors of the village stated that they are ready to allow the children to come up with their plight.

Not only in Basudevpur but it is time now for all the children to raise voice. We know, it seems awkward but many people strongly feel that the children themselves should come forward to bring a big change in the society.

Shyamal Dash

‘Save the Children’ recently organized a conference titled ‘More than breaking news’ in Puri and invited top brass media professionals from six states to focus on the problems related to children. They narrated about their execution process as well as achievements on redress of children’s issues and appealed the media personnel to come up with suggestions on how more can be done for the children. In this meet, senior media members also presented their papers and showcased short films. These films basically provided message protesting female foeticide, early marriage of girls, trafficking and restraining girls from education. Communication Coordinator for Bihar and Orissa of ‘Save the Children’ Shyamal Dash informed that children don’t have really a child-life these days since most of them are engaged in even hazardous professions. Advocacy director Sirin Vakil Miller intimated that it is time to focus on the issues of the most marginalized children of the country.

Inter state Media conference by Save the Children in Puri

It is true that children in India are becoming prey of social evils. A number of children are engaged in different professions and even in begging. Laws are there for their safeguard and govt. agencies as well as social workers are putting effort to deal with the matter, but lot more need to be done to see a smile on the face of these little angels.

Temporary wood bridge mentioned in the article

Holi in Oriya Film

The sequence of holi is a unique theme that can be visually exploited for a wonderful outcome. Relying on this notion, Oriya film directors have filmed a number of holi songs in their movies. Yet, the ‘Holi holi re holi, ranga rangeli nali’ song from Prashanta Nanda directed blockbuster movie ‘Balidan’ (1979) is the most popular one. Not only in the old films but holi songs and sequences have been used many a times by the directors both from the old and new generation. Himanshu Guru exclusively talks to some legends of Oriya film industry as well as some stars of the present era to dig out the essence of holi in Oriya film.

“Holi and rain are the two prime subjects to lure audience” says Prashanta Nanda, the top personality of Oriya film. He has made a number of super hit films and was the leading director cum actor in the seventies, eighties and nineties. More than that, he is the director and actor of the aforementioned song. “The song not only narrates celebration of holi in the rural areas of Orissa but it also showcases the mythological significance through ‘Dola yatra’, filmed in the song” Nanda said.

‘Balidan’ reflected the erstwhile social thinking about the struggle of a simple village guy to get justice. The film not only earned great appreciation but people were stunned to watch the songs where the holi song was one of the best.

“Not only have this song, but holi sequences and songs been put several times in oriya films. But there is a difference between observation of holi in urban and rural area and in that song I tried to focus on rural holi’ Nanda added.

“Even today once it comes to perform a holi song, the one from ‘Balidan’ is used in stage shows” said actress Rali Nanda. Rali has so far carved a niche for herself in Oriya film industry with her acting and dance prowess. “I have done a holi sequence in the Barada Tripathy directed film ‘Superstar’. ‘The best thing about holi is the colour and audience loves the seven colours on the silver screen a lot” Rali also said.

“I had done a holi song in film ‘Rudra’ that starred Anant and Madhu, the two lead actors of the film” said Abhijit Majumdar, a proficient music director cum singer of current Oriya films. According to him holi is the best occasion to make a song. “I feel overwhelmed when my director wants me to compose a holi song since this occasion offers ample scope. And I did not wanted to give the song to any other singer, but decided to sing it myself to bring the real essence of holi” he also said.

When asked whether Oriya audience accept occasional songs on Holi well or not, Abhijit answered in the affirmative. “Yes, why not? They will be happy to watch holi on the screen and it has been well tested” he added.

“My director wanted a holi song and I composed the ‘Holi holi re holi, ranga rangeli nali’ song for film Balidan, said Prafulla kar, the legendary singer and music director of Oriya films. Kar was the composer, singer and lyricist of the said song. 

“Celebrating holi in Oriya culture was not very much pompous earlier while it was celebrated in the north with much fanfare. So, when we put the song in the film in 1979, I think it brought a message about celebrating holi in Orissa involving a number of people. Perhaps that was the reason people accepted the song wholeheartedly” Kar also said.

“The song was also much needed for the sequence of the film and ‘Balidan’ was also a blockbuster. Prior to that I had recorded another holi song with HMV and thus during this song I could put my expertise to make it bloom” he added.

Not only in films, but holi is an occasion when Oriya film celebrities love to woo their fans with their presence at holi related events in the city. Holi is the day when everybody wants to live a colorful life. And film fraternity is not out of the society; rather what goes on in the society is only reflected via the scripts of a film. Hence, definitely Oriya film fans will be anxiously waiting for holi songs and sequences to watch on the screen in the coming days.

Automobile Engineer Balram Yadav – A Profile

Balram Yadav is an internationally recognized young Automobile Engineer from Orissa. So far Yadav has been appreciated by Former President of India and Legendary Scientist Dr. Abdul Kalam. After pursuing his graduation from the Anna University of Chennai in Automobile Engineering, he is presently working as a project engineer for Hyundai Motor Company. World’s auto giant BMW has selected Yadav and he is all set to join the company in Germany with a pay package of Rs. 80 lakh per annum in a couple of months.

Yadav is a talented engineer who always topped in his stream and had got an offer from U.S. govt. in a top post which was not accepted by the patriot young engineer who wants to serve his fellow brothers of India.

In fact, he has founded a social activist group named ‘Parichaya’ in a bid to do something great for his motherland. ‘I am thankful to all the great people who have recognized and offered me to work for them and their esteemed company but with due respect, I would like to say that I want to do something for my own soil, my motherland India’ – Yadav said.

Born in 1989 in Bagartypali, Balangir to Sanjukta and Jadaba Bagarty, Balram completed his schooling from Saraswati Sishu Mandir, +2 from Rajendra College and subsequently moved Chennai for the Engineering degree. His father is an assistant in Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).

Mr. Yadav is the youngest member who has designed, presented and honored for his own-designed vehicles including racing, MPV, SUV and other utility vehicles. He has so far designed for all the leading Auto companies. In the Auto Tech of 2010 and 2011, held in Delhi, he was awarded with ‘the best engineer’.

Presently Mr. Yadav is getting scholarship from Achhen University, Germany, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). He is a member of the Society of Automotive India (SAE). ARAI and SAE hope to see Yadav amongst the best 100 Automobile Engineers. Despite his young age Yadav is well known among Automobile icons like Ratan Tata, Anand Mahindra and renowned Automobile designers like Thomas Burkle and Gorden Wagener.

Yadav had directed ‘Advance Automobile’, a project where he designed two types of cars, Luxurious and Armor vehicles. India’s former President honorable Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was the Chief advisor of this project and appreciated work of Mr. Yadav.

Currently, the young engineer is also running a trainning centre in Balangir in collaboration with a premium Auto Workshop, to train the budding engineers about the latest technology used these days in classy cars.

Pradhanpat & Kudurkut Waterfalls in Debagarh, Odisha

Goddess Pradhani Bhudhi in her shrine

The state of Orissa is gifted with some beautiful and picturesque waterfalls and Pradhanpart, the 70 feet high steep fall in Debagarh district is one of them. Named after Goddess Pradhani Budhi the fall attracts picnickers and visitors round the year. Situated in the Pradhanpat hill, the fall offers a rare scenic beauty. Surrounded by hills on all sides and covered by greenery of the adjacent Saal wood jungles, the roaring reverberation of the gushing water in this serene atmosphere provides a mind-blowing experience. Scene of the fall is surely a treat for the eyes. Himanshu Guru attempts to catch beauty of the fall with this report.

Location
Pradhanpat waterfalls are located at a distance of 153 km from Bhubaneswar, 136 Km from Rourkela and 100 km from Sambalpur. Located at the outskirt of the District Head Quarter of Debagarh one can reach comfortably through roadways. One can set out from Rourkela passingRajamunda, Narendra Chowk Barkote and Debagarh to reach Pradhanpat through NH 23.

Picnickers at Padhanpat

In Public Use
Since water from Pradhanpart fall is supplied to Debagarh town for drinking purpose bathing in the water is strictly prohibited by the Municipality of the district.

Night-Stay
There are no hotels or private accommodation facilities available close to the fall, but one can stay in Debagarh town that provides the option of a range of hotels starting from economic standard to luxury though there are no star hotels there. Also there is no good eatery near the fall and so one need to take his own Tiffin box or have his lunch at Debagarh town. However for night stay two guest houses are there near the fall – Basanta Nivas and Lalita Basanta.

Basanta Nivas

Basant Nivas at Pradhanpat

Basant Nivas was constructed by the ex-rulers of Bamra province and is now under the management of the Public Works Department of the Government of Orissa. As per the writings found, this was the summer fun palace of the erstwhile king of Bamara state. Statue of a half-naked woman, perhaps erected to entertain the king then is witnessed today also. Here reservations can be availed through the Executive Engineer, National Highway Division, Sambalpur.

Kurudkut waterfall

Kudurkut waterfall

Besides Pradhanpart, Debagarh district also houses another beautiful water fall named ‘Kurudkut’. This little known fall is located in the lap of the Kurudkut hills in a calm and quiet place. One needs to head towards Baba bandh and then take a right turn and travel around 2 kms to reach Kurudkut. So far a motor-able road is yet to be constructed to reach the zero point of this fall. Though one needs to trek for about one km to reach at the fall, still many people recommend to visit the spot for its picturesque scenery and refreshing seren atmosphere. One can also witness the remnants of a pump house here. The pump house is claimed to be Asia’s Hydro Electricity Generator, which was started by the then king of Deogarh “Raja Sachidananda Tribhuban Dev”. As per news Government is trying to revive the old project.

In and around

Newly developed Park at the site

Besides the falls, Debagarh district also houses some notable temples like shrines dedicated to Gopinath, Jagannath and Gokarneswara and a recently created park near Pradhanpart water fall. Like many other wild destinations a lot of monkeys are also seen at Pradhanpart water fall.

A few lines from my friend Romeo Mohapatra, man from Debagarh/Devgarh

Debagarh district can be seen as a natural treasure. After getting district status government of Orissa is trying to convert Pradhanpart water fall area as a tourist destination but Kurudkut water fall is yet to be properly discovered in the tourist map. The place is important for the age old hydro-electric project. Some elderly people of Debagarh town know much about the history, kingship of the ex-rulers of Bamra province and natural resources and destinations of the area and they should be approached to get the precious information.

Pradhanpat Waterfall in Debagarh, Orissa