Raghurajpur is a heritage crafts village in Puri district, Odisha, known for its master Pattachitra painters, an art form which dates back to 5 BC in the region and Gotipua dance troupes, the precursor to the Indian classical dance form of Odissi; it is also known as the birthplace of one of the finest Odissi exponents and Guru, Kelucharan Mohapatra. Apart from that, the village is also home to crafts like Tussar paintings, palm leaf engravings, stone and wood carvings, wooden, cowdung and papier mache toys, and masks.

In 2000, after a two-year research and documentation project by INTACH, starting 1998, the village was chosen to be developed as state's first heritage village and developed as a Crafts village, soon the village had an interpretation centre, commissioned artwork on the walls of the artists’ homes and a rest house.

It also has the distinction of the only place where the traditional decoration called Patas, used under the throne of Lord Jagannath and on the three chariots during the annual Rath Yatra festival, that takes place at pilgrimage town of Puri, some 14 km away, known for the Jagannath Temple.

OVERVIEW

Situated amidst groves of coconut, palm, mango and jack fruit, the main village has two streets with over 120 houses, most decorated with mural paintings, where the painters reside and practice their pattachitra craft, besides many other that practices throughout the village, including traditional masks, stone idols, papier mache, sculptures, wooden toys. The village also a series of temples dedicated not only to Bhuasuni, the local deity but also to various Hindu gods including, Radha Mohan, Gopinath, Raghunath, Laxminarayan and Gouranga.

Around, 2000 it was developed as a heritage village by INTACH, and soon became a major rural tourist destination of the state, drawing tourist, both domestic and foreign to the village. Villagers were also trained to provide heritage walks to the visitors by the organisation, and has since become a template for heritage tourism in the region.

Today it is also the venue of the annual Basant Utsav - Parampara Raghurajpur (Spring Festival), which was first organized in 1993 under the aegis of State Tourism Department and astern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, held in the month of February/March and an important tourist draw.

PATTACHITRA

The pattachitra paintings are made over a piece of cloth known as Patta or a dried palm leaf, which is first painted with a mixture of chalk and gum. Over the prepared surface, colorful and intricate pictures of various Gods, Goddesses, and mythological scenes with ornamentation of flowers, trees and animals are then painted. The paintings on Tussar saris, especially the Sambalpuri Saree depicting Mathura Vijay, Raslila and Ayodhya Vijay owe their origin to ‘Raghurajpur Pattachitra paintings’.

LOCATION

It is situated 14 km away from Hindu pilgrimage town of Puri, on the southern banks of river Bhargabi (Bhargavi). Visitors from Puri take the Bhubaneswar road, near Chandanpur, on NH 203, and upon reaching the Chandanpur Bazaar, they can take a right turn to reach Raghurajpur. The village is then around 1.5 km from Chandanpur.

WIKIPEDIA

The Special Region of Yogyakarta (Indonesian: Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, often pronounced /ˌjɒɡjəˈkɑːrtə/; Javanese: ꦣꦲꦺꦫꦃꦲꦶꦯ꧀ꦡꦶꦩꦺꦮꦔꦪꦺꦴꦒꦾꦏꦂꦠ) is a provincial-level autonomous region of Indonesia in the southern Java. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south, as well as sharing all the land borders to the province of Central Java. Ruled by the Yogyakarta Sultanate, the region is the only officially recognised monarchy within the government of Indonesia. The city of Yogyakarta is the capital and the economic center of the region.

The Yogyakarta Sultanate has been established since 1755 and provided an unwavering support for Indonesia's independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945–1949). As a first-level division in Indonesia, Yogyakarta is governed by Sultan Hamengkubuwono as the governor and Prince Paku Alam as the vice governor. With a land area of 3,185.8 km², it is the second-smallest province of Indonesia after Jakarta.

HISTORY

In Javanese it is pronounced [joɡjaˈkartɔ], and named after the city of Ayodhya in Javanese-Hindu mythology. The Dutch name of the Special Region is Djokjakarta.

The Sultanate has existed in various forms through prehistory, and survived through the rule of the Dutch and the 1942 invasion of the Dutch East Indies by the Japanese Empire. In August 1945 Indonesia's first president, Sukarno proclaimed the independence of the Indonesian Republic, and by September of that year, Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and duke Sri Paku Alam VIII had sent letters to Sukarno expressing their support for the newly-born nation of Indonesia, in which they acknowledged the Yogyakarta Sultanate as part of the Indonesian Republic. The Sunanate of Surakarta did the same, and both of the Javanese kingdoms were awarded special status as special regions within Indonesian Republic. However, due to a leftist anti-royalist uprising in Surakarta, the Sunanate of Surakarta lost its special administrative status in 1946 and was absorbed into the province of Central Java.

Yogyakarta's overwhelming support and the Sultan's patriotism were essential in the Indonesian struggle for independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949). The city of Yogyakarta became the capital of the Indonesian Republic from January 1946 to December 1948 after the fall of Jakarta to the Dutch. Later, the Dutch also invaded Yogyakarta causing the Indonesian Republic's capital to be transferred again to Bukittinggi in West Sumatra on 19 December 1948. In return for Yogyakarta's support, the declaration of Special Authority over Yogyakarta was granted in full in 1950 and Yogyakarta was given the status as a Special Administrative Region, making Yogyakarta the only region headed by a monarchy in Indonesia.

The Special Region was struck by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake on 27 May 2006, killing 5,782 people, injuring approximately 36,000 and leaving 600,000 people homeless. The region of Bantul suffered the most damage and deaths.

GEOGRAPHY

The Special Region is located near the southern coast of Java, surrounded on three sides by the province of Central Java, and with the Indian Ocean on the south side. The population at the 2010 Census was 3,452,390 people, but according to the latest official estimate (January 2014) has risen to 3,594,290. It has an area of 3,133.15 km2, making it the second-smallest area of the provinces in Indonesia, after the Jakarta Capital Region. Along with surrounding areas in Central Java, it has some of the highest population densities of Java.

Mount Merapi is located to the immediate north of the city of Yogyakarta and Sleman Regency. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. It last erupted in October–November 2010, killing and injuring many people and temporarily displacing approximately 100,000 residents.

GEO-HERITAGE SITES

Indonesia has numbers of geo-heritage sites in Yogyakarta Special Region. It has been declared by Geological Agency of the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry. The sites consists of 9 sites: Eosen limestone in Gamping (Sleman regency), pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman), pre-historic volcanic sediment in Candi Ijo, Prambanan (Sleman), sand dunes in Parangtritis Beach (Bantul regency), Kiskendo cave and former manganese mining site in Kleripan (Kulonprogo regency), the prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency), Wediombo-Siung beaches (Gunungkidul) and Bioturbasi site in Kalingalang (Gunungkidul). The most unusual one is pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman) which is a big, rough black rock lays on the bank of narrow Dengkeng River. The prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency) has already been developed as a tourist destination.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

Located within the Special Region of Yogyakarta, the city of Yogyakarta is known as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry and puppet shows. It is also one of Indonesia's most renowned centers of higher education. At the city's center is the Sultan's palace called the kraton. While the city sprawls in all directions from the kraton, the core of the modern city is to the north.

TRANSPORT

Yogyakarta is served by Adisucipto International Airport and New Yogyakarta International Airport which will be open for minimum operations at the end of April 2019. There are two train stations: Lempuyangan Station and Yogyakarta railway station.

HISTORICAL POPULATION

Year - Pop.±%

1971 - 2,489,360

1980 - 2,750,813+10.5%

1990 - 2,913,054+5.9%

1995 - 2,916,779+0.1%

2000 - 3,122,268+7.0%

2010 - 3,452,390+10.6%

2014 - 3,594,290+4.1%

Source: Badan Pusat Statistik 2010

Yogyakarta is considered one of the major hubs that links the west-east main railway route in Java island. Tugu railway station is the main train station located in center, and Lempuyangan train station is the second train station in the city. The two stations have own schedule from and to other cities in Java island. To the south, in the Bantul region, is the Giwangan bus station, the largest bus station in Indonesia. The centre of metropolitan Yogyakarta is surrounded by a ring road.

Since 2008, the Special Region of Yogyakarta launched bus rapid transit system, the Trans Jogja, which connects many places in and around Yogyakarta city, including the airport and Prambanan temple. Today, Trans Jogja has reached other points in the south-side of the city

EDUCATION

Yogyakarta is home to more than 100 institutions of higher education in Indonesia, the highest number of higher education institutions of any province in Indonesia. Hence, Yogyakarta earned its nickname "Kota Pelajar" (The City of Students).

Yogyakarta is the home of the first established state university in Indonesia, the Gadjah Mada University.

The Special Region is also the home of the first-established private university in Indonesia, the Islamic University of Indonesia, which was founded in 1945. The Indonesia Institute of Arts, the first-established university in fine arts, is also in the region. Other large universities include State Islamic University of Yogyakarta, University of Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa in Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta State University, Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta and University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta.

WIKIPEDIA

One day, Bhagwan Shri Ram accompanied by his prime minister, Sumantra, and his three brothers (Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughn) went to the Kulguru Vashishth’s Ashram. Bowing low before the Saint, Shri Ram said with folded hands, “Revered Preceptor! I have done a number of Yajnas, so to say. But my subjects are insisting on a horse-sacrifice Yajna (Ashwamedha Yajna).”

“May your desire be duly fulfilled, Ram” Saying so, the Saint said to Bharat, “My son! Go and start preparations for the Ashwamedha Yajna.”

“I’m here to obey you, Guruji,” Saying so, Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughn left the hermitage.

When the preparations for the Yajna were over, Lord Shri Ram and Guru Vashishth inspected them and they felt very pleased to see the arrangements that the three younger princes (Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughn) had made. They praised their efforts and blessed them.

Now Shri Ramchandra summoned a number of messengers and gave them certain directions. Then they were sent to various Kings and Rulers with a view to informing them of the forthcoming Yajna. Not only this, some messengers were sent to request the celebrated Saints of the day to come and grace the occasion. It was done in consultation with Kulguru Vashishth.

Receiving the invitation, a number of Kings and Rulers arrived at Ayodhya to take part in the Yajna. They included Sugreev, Vibhishan, Jambvant, Nal & Neel, Vishwamitra also reached the site of the Yajna.

King Janak (Mithila Naresh), on being informed, marched to Ayodhya along with his four winged army and a large number of Saints including his Royal Priest Shatanand. Bharat was given the responsibility of entertaining the guests.

Directed by his Preceptor, God Shri Ram got prepared a Gold image of his wife Sita because Gurudev Vashishth had told him that no Yajna is considered to be complete until and unless the wife sits on the left of the husband, the performer of the Yajna. Everybody who was present on the occasion praised the Gold image of Janak Kumari.

Two thousand scholarly Brahmanas were deputed to recite the mantras. Also a beautiful White Horse was decorated profusely and brought to the site of the performance. Thus the Yajna was started in the month of magha (January) and Shri Ramchandra made offerings of Yajna material to the sacred fire as instructed by the priests.

After the completion of the Yajna, the white horse was brought near the sacred fire and necessary worship was performed. Than a Tilak was put on the fore-head of the horse, also, a declaration was hung from its saddle –

“Ram, The Ruler of Ayodhya, claims superiority to all the Kings. Any on who likes to defy this claim, should catch the horse and invite a war from the master of horse. If the claim is acceptable, a yearly tribute should be sent to Ram.”

Then taking out an invincible arrow from his quiver, Lord Raghuveer handed it across to Shatrughn and said, “Brother! Accost this horse and return after winning all the Kings.”

“I’ll do the needful, brother.” Saying so, Shatrughn took the arrow.”

Deputed for the over-all victory, Shatrughn proceeded on this mission along with the Yajna-horse and a strong contingent of soldiers with him. The force included four thousand horses, two thousand chariots and elephants, a large number of campers, entertainers and dancers.

Shatrughn was given special instructions not to trouble anybody anywhere during the journey until and unless somebody comes forward with defiance of the declaration hung from the saddle of the Yajna-horse.

The first encounter took place between Shri Ram’s force and Lavnasur, a very powerful demon chief, who had defeated Devatas, Nagas and a number of Kings of his area.

Shatrughn besieged the capital of Lavnasur who came out with a large army to face Shatrughn. A fierce battle followed. Seeing Lavnasur killing the Koshala soldiers, Shatrughn shot Shri Ram’s invincible arrow at him and he fell down dead on the ground. As a result, his soldiers ran away and victorious Shatrughn proceeded forward.

The news of Lavnasur’s defeat and death broke the pride of other headstrong Rulers and all of them accepted the over-lordship of Shri Ram without taking courage to any sort of opposition.

Shatrughn went on marching forward extending Shri Ram’s sway on every region he passed through.

Now Shatrughn entered a dense forest. The White Horse was being followed by Shri Ram’s army under Shatrughn. It was the very forest where Maharshi Valmiki had his Ashram and where Luv & Kush lived along with their mother (Sita).

When the twin brothers Luv & Kush saw the White Horse, they liked it very much. Luv said to his brother, “Kush! Look at that horse. How fine it is! I feel like catching it and keeping it for our daily rides.”

“All right; let us catch it.” Saying so, Kush advanced to catch the horse. Luv followed him closely too. Both the brothers caught the horse and tied it to a nearby tree.

Raghurajpur is a heritage crafts village in Puri district, Odisha, known for its master Pattachitra painters, an art form which dates back to 5 BC in the region and Gotipua dance troupes, the precursor to the Indian classical dance form of Odissi; it is also known as the birthplace of one of the finest Odissi exponents and Guru, Kelucharan Mohapatra. Apart from that, the village is also home to crafts like Tussar paintings, palm leaf engravings, stone and wood carvings, wooden, cowdung and papier mache toys, and masks.

In 2000, after a two-year research and documentation project by INTACH, starting 1998, the village was chosen to be developed as state's first heritage village and developed as a Crafts village, soon the village had an interpretation centre, commissioned artwork on the walls of the artists’ homes and a rest house.

It also has the distinction of the only place where the traditional decoration called Patas, used under the throne of Lord Jagannath and on the three chariots during the annual Rath Yatra festival, that takes place at pilgrimage town of Puri, some 14 km away, known for the Jagannath Temple.

OVERVIEW

Situated amidst groves of coconut, palm, mango and jack fruit, the main village has two streets with over 120 houses, most decorated with mural paintings, where the painters reside and practice their pattachitra craft, besides many other that practices throughout the village, including traditional masks, stone idols, papier mache, sculptures, wooden toys. The village also a series of temples dedicated not only to Bhuasuni, the local deity but also to various Hindu gods including, Radha Mohan, Gopinath, Raghunath, Laxminarayan and Gouranga.

Around, 2000 it was developed as a heritage village by INTACH, and soon became a major rural tourist destination of the state, drawing tourist, both domestic and foreign to the village. Villagers were also trained to provide heritage walks to the visitors by the organisation, and has since become a template for heritage tourism in the region.

Today it is also the venue of the annual Basant Utsav - Parampara Raghurajpur (Spring Festival), which was first organized in 1993 under the aegis of State Tourism Department and astern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, held in the month of February/March and an important tourist draw.

PATTACHITRA

The pattachitra paintings are made over a piece of cloth known as Patta or a dried palm leaf, which is first painted with a mixture of chalk and gum. Over the prepared surface, colorful and intricate pictures of various Gods, Goddesses, and mythological scenes with ornamentation of flowers, trees and animals are then painted. The paintings on Tussar saris, especially the Sambalpuri Saree depicting Mathura Vijay, Raslila and Ayodhya Vijay owe their origin to ‘Raghurajpur Pattachitra paintings’.

LOCATION

It is situated 14 km away from Hindu pilgrimage town of Puri, on the southern banks of river Bhargabi (Bhargavi). Visitors from Puri take the Bhubaneswar road, near Chandanpur, on NH 203, and upon reaching the Chandanpur Bazaar, they can take a right turn to reach Raghurajpur. The village is then around 1.5 km from Chandanpur.

WIKIPEDIA

The Special Region of Yogyakarta (Indonesian: Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, often pronounced /ˌjɒɡjəˈkɑːrtə/; Javanese: ꦣꦲꦺꦫꦃꦲꦶꦯ꧀ꦡꦶꦩꦺꦮꦔꦪꦺꦴꦒꦾꦏꦂꦠ) is a provincial-level autonomous region of Indonesia in the southern Java. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south, as well as sharing all the land borders to the province of Central Java. Ruled by the Yogyakarta Sultanate, the region is the only officially recognised monarchy within the government of Indonesia. The city of Yogyakarta is the capital and the economic center of the region.

The Yogyakarta Sultanate has been established since 1755 and provided an unwavering support for Indonesia's independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945–1949). As a first-level division in Indonesia, Yogyakarta is governed by Sultan Hamengkubuwono as the governor and Prince Paku Alam as the vice governor. With a land area of 3,185.8 km², it is the second-smallest province of Indonesia after Jakarta.

HISTORY

In Javanese it is pronounced [joɡjaˈkartɔ], and named after the city of Ayodhya in Javanese-Hindu mythology. The Dutch name of the Special Region is Djokjakarta.

The Sultanate has existed in various forms through prehistory, and survived through the rule of the Dutch and the 1942 invasion of the Dutch East Indies by the Japanese Empire. In August 1945 Indonesia's first president, Sukarno proclaimed the independence of the Indonesian Republic, and by September of that year, Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and duke Sri Paku Alam VIII had sent letters to Sukarno expressing their support for the newly-born nation of Indonesia, in which they acknowledged the Yogyakarta Sultanate as part of the Indonesian Republic. The Sunanate of Surakarta did the same, and both of the Javanese kingdoms were awarded special status as special regions within Indonesian Republic. However, due to a leftist anti-royalist uprising in Surakarta, the Sunanate of Surakarta lost its special administrative status in 1946 and was absorbed into the province of Central Java.

Yogyakarta's overwhelming support and the Sultan's patriotism were essential in the Indonesian struggle for independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949). The city of Yogyakarta became the capital of the Indonesian Republic from January 1946 to December 1948 after the fall of Jakarta to the Dutch. Later, the Dutch also invaded Yogyakarta causing the Indonesian Republic's capital to be transferred again to Bukittinggi in West Sumatra on 19 December 1948. In return for Yogyakarta's support, the declaration of Special Authority over Yogyakarta was granted in full in 1950 and Yogyakarta was given the status as a Special Administrative Region, making Yogyakarta the only region headed by a monarchy in Indonesia.

The Special Region was struck by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake on 27 May 2006, killing 5,782 people, injuring approximately 36,000 and leaving 600,000 people homeless. The region of Bantul suffered the most damage and deaths.

GEOGRAPHY

The Special Region is located near the southern coast of Java, surrounded on three sides by the province of Central Java, and with the Indian Ocean on the south side. The population at the 2010 Census was 3,452,390 people, but according to the latest official estimate (January 2014) has risen to 3,594,290. It has an area of 3,133.15 km2, making it the second-smallest area of the provinces in Indonesia, after the Jakarta Capital Region. Along with surrounding areas in Central Java, it has some of the highest population densities of Java.

Mount Merapi is located to the immediate north of the city of Yogyakarta and Sleman Regency. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. It last erupted in October–November 2010, killing and injuring many people and temporarily displacing approximately 100,000 residents.

GEO-HERITAGE SITES

Indonesia has numbers of geo-heritage sites in Yogyakarta Special Region. It has been declared by Geological Agency of the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry. The sites consists of 9 sites: Eosen limestone in Gamping (Sleman regency), pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman), pre-historic volcanic sediment in Candi Ijo, Prambanan (Sleman), sand dunes in Parangtritis Beach (Bantul regency), Kiskendo cave and former manganese mining site in Kleripan (Kulonprogo regency), the prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency), Wediombo-Siung beaches (Gunungkidul) and Bioturbasi site in Kalingalang (Gunungkidul). The most unusual one is pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman) which is a big, rough black rock lays on the bank of narrow Dengkeng River. The prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency) has already been developed as a tourist destination.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

Located within the Special Region of Yogyakarta, the city of Yogyakarta is known as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry and puppet shows. It is also one of Indonesia's most renowned centers of higher education. At the city's center is the Sultan's palace called the kraton. While the city sprawls in all directions from the kraton, the core of the modern city is to the north.

TRANSPORT

Yogyakarta is served by Adisucipto International Airport and New Yogyakarta International Airport which will be open for minimum operations at the end of April 2019. There are two train stations: Lempuyangan Station and Yogyakarta railway station.

HISTORICAL POPULATION

Year - Pop.±%

1971 - 2,489,360

1980 - 2,750,813+10.5%

1990 - 2,913,054+5.9%

1995 - 2,916,779+0.1%

2000 - 3,122,268+7.0%

2010 - 3,452,390+10.6%

2014 - 3,594,290+4.1%

Source: Badan Pusat Statistik 2010

Yogyakarta is considered one of the major hubs that links the west-east main railway route in Java island. Tugu railway station is the main train station located in center, and Lempuyangan train station is the second train station in the city. The two stations have own schedule from and to other cities in Java island. To the south, in the Bantul region, is the Giwangan bus station, the largest bus station in Indonesia. The centre of metropolitan Yogyakarta is surrounded by a ring road.

Since 2008, the Special Region of Yogyakarta launched bus rapid transit system, the Trans Jogja, which connects many places in and around Yogyakarta city, including the airport and Prambanan temple. Today, Trans Jogja has reached other points in the south-side of the city

EDUCATION

Yogyakarta is home to more than 100 institutions of higher education in Indonesia, the highest number of higher education institutions of any province in Indonesia. Hence, Yogyakarta earned its nickname "Kota Pelajar" (The City of Students).

Yogyakarta is the home of the first established state university in Indonesia, the Gadjah Mada University.

The Special Region is also the home of the first-established private university in Indonesia, the Islamic University of Indonesia, which was founded in 1945. The Indonesia Institute of Arts, the first-established university in fine arts, is also in the region. Other large universities include State Islamic University of Yogyakarta, University of Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa in Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta State University, Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta and University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta.

WIKIPEDIA

[दिपावली-Diwali - national festival in India & Nepal]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali

Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas, or dīpa in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends. Most Indian business communities begin the financial year on the first day of Diwali.

Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshman from his fourteen-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst crackers.

Raghurajpur is a heritage crafts village in Puri district, Odisha, known for its master Pattachitra painters, an art form which dates back to 5 BC in the region and Gotipua dance troupes, the precursor to the Indian classical dance form of Odissi; it is also known as the birthplace of one of the finest Odissi exponents and Guru, Kelucharan Mohapatra. Apart from that, the village is also home to crafts like Tussar paintings, palm leaf engravings, stone and wood carvings, wooden, cowdung and papier mache toys, and masks.

In 2000, after a two-year research and documentation project by INTACH, starting 1998, the village was chosen to be developed as state's first heritage village and developed as a Crafts village, soon the village had an interpretation centre, commissioned artwork on the walls of the artists’ homes and a rest house.

It also has the distinction of the only place where the traditional decoration called Patas, used under the throne of Lord Jagannath and on the three chariots during the annual Rath Yatra festival, that takes place at pilgrimage town of Puri, some 14 km away, known for the Jagannath Temple.

OVERVIEW

Situated amidst groves of coconut, palm, mango and jack fruit, the main village has two streets with over 120 houses, most decorated with mural paintings, where the painters reside and practice their pattachitra craft, besides many other that practices throughout the village, including traditional masks, stone idols, papier mache, sculptures, wooden toys. The village also a series of temples dedicated not only to Bhuasuni, the local deity but also to various Hindu gods including, Radha Mohan, Gopinath, Raghunath, Laxminarayan and Gouranga.

Around, 2000 it was developed as a heritage village by INTACH, and soon became a major rural tourist destination of the state, drawing tourist, both domestic and foreign to the village. Villagers were also trained to provide heritage walks to the visitors by the organisation, and has since become a template for heritage tourism in the region.

Today it is also the venue of the annual Basant Utsav - Parampara Raghurajpur (Spring Festival), which was first organized in 1993 under the aegis of State Tourism Department and astern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, held in the month of February/March and an important tourist draw.

PATTACHITRA

The pattachitra paintings are made over a piece of cloth known as Patta or a dried palm leaf, which is first painted with a mixture of chalk and gum. Over the prepared surface, colorful and intricate pictures of various Gods, Goddesses, and mythological scenes with ornamentation of flowers, trees and animals are then painted. The paintings on Tussar saris, especially the Sambalpuri Saree depicting Mathura Vijay, Raslila and Ayodhya Vijay owe their origin to ‘Raghurajpur Pattachitra paintings’.

LOCATION

It is situated 14 km away from Hindu pilgrimage town of Puri, on the southern banks of river Bhargabi (Bhargavi). Visitors from Puri take the Bhubaneswar road, near Chandanpur, on NH 203, and upon reaching the Chandanpur Bazaar, they can take a right turn to reach Raghurajpur. The village is then around 1.5 km from Chandanpur.

WIKIPEDIA

This is the shot taken yesterday in village Gharam near my native village in Punjab-Haryana border.This place is believed to be the maternal place of Bhagwan Shri Ram Chander Jee ( The Avtar of Shri Vishnu and King of Ayodhya in whose homecoming celebrations the whole India celebrates Diwali Festival ) The amazing fact about this temple is that,its architecture....The architecture is mughal style and seems like a mosque from outside.The more amazing fact is all religions are worshiped inside.YES all religions.I met Muslim and Hindu devotees together in this temple.Couldn't believe my eyes that this could happen in India where 2 communities fight like cats and dogs.

Very soothing feeling I got when I returned from that place and this is the reason I am sharing this with you to take lesson from places like these and increase brotherhood everywhere in this world so that this planet could become the perfect place for our future generation.

Huge statue of Ramdoot Hanuman is located at middle of Ram Ghat, CHITRAKOOT DHAM belongs to Chitrakoot district in the Indian state of UTTAR PRADESH. Chitrakoot is situated around 130 kms from TeerthRaaj Prayag (Today’s Allahabad). Whole Shri Hanuman Chalisa, Sankat Mochan Hanumanashtak, Shri Hanumanji Ki Aarti and Bajrang Baan composer Goswami Tulsidas is written on the stone on which this huge statue is placed. This statue is painted in dark orange color which looks more colorful & beautiful.

RAM GHAT is a long stretch of steps made on the bank of Payaswani River. It is believed that Lord Ram bathed here with Sitaji and Lakshman on their arrival in Chitrakoot. Goswami Tulsidas is also believed to have lived here for quite some time. It is the place where he is believed to have Darshan of Bhagwan Shri Ram & Lakshman.

CHITRAKOOT is the place where Bhagwan Shri Ram with wife Sita and brother Lakshman spend his time during exile.

KAMADGIRI MOUNTAIN, the mountain which fulfills all the wishes and desires by taking its Parikrama or Pradakshina, this place is believed to have been the abode of God Shri Ram, Sita Devi and Lakshman Jati during their exile.

SPHATIK SHILA, reddish crystal like rock, where Lord Ram and his beloved wife Sita used to sit and admire the scenic ambiance of the surroundings.

SITA RASOI at Chitrakoot is situated about 100 feet from the Hanuman Dhara. This is the place where Devi Sita is said to have cooked Kandmools (root vegetables).

LAKSHMAN PAHADI or Lakshman Hill, situated on the Parikrama or Pradakshina Path of the Kamadgiri Mountain half way from the Pramukh Dwar, is the hillock where Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Ram, spent most of his time when he retired from the services of his elder brother Shri Ram and Bhabhi Sita. He used to guard the Kamadgiri Mountain when Lord Ram & Devi Sita used to rest.

BHARAT MILAP MANDIR, is the place in Chitrakoot where Bharat, after performing final rites of his father King Dasharath, comes from Ayodhya with his three mothers Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra to meet his elder brother Shri Ram to offer him Ayodhya’s kingdom. The foot prints of Lord Ram and his brother Bharat are still engraved here. It is such a touching occasion that even stones melted owing to overwhelming emotions and carry their foot prints to this day.

BHARAT KOOP is a Huge Well near Bharatpur village located around 20 kms from the west of Chitrakoot. It is believed that Lord Ram’s brother Bharat brought water from all the holy places to anoint Lord Ram as a King of Ayodhya. But Bharat was unsuccessful in persuading Lord Ram to return to his kingdom. When Lord Ram did not agree then Bharat poured the holy water in this well as per instructions of Maharishi Atri. It is believed that after having bath from the water of this well means bathing in all teerths.

RAGHAV-PRAYAG GHAT, the place where Lord Ram performed “Pitru Tarpan” making offerings to his father King Dasharath who expired after Lord Ram went into exile.

HANUMAN DHARA, a lovely hillock with Hanuman Temple, it is believed that this cascade was created to ease the hardship of Hanuman while he returned from Lanka after setting fire to Lanka. Lord Ram pierces an arrow in this mountain which springs up water which relieves Shri Hanuman. The spring that falls on the deity temple idol gradually fills the nearby Kund. Hanuman Dhara gives an implausible view of the legendary town of Chitrakoot.

The Special Region of Yogyakarta (Indonesian: Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, often pronounced /ˌjɒɡjəˈkɑːrtə/; Javanese: ꦣꦲꦺꦫꦃꦲꦶꦯ꧀ꦡꦶꦩꦺꦮꦔꦪꦺꦴꦒꦾꦏꦂꦠ) is a provincial-level autonomous region of Indonesia in the southern Java. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south, as well as sharing all the land borders to the province of Central Java. Ruled by the Yogyakarta Sultanate, the region is the only officially recognised monarchy within the government of Indonesia. The city of Yogyakarta is the capital and the economic center of the region.

The Yogyakarta Sultanate has been established since 1755 and provided an unwavering support for Indonesia's independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945–1949). As a first-level division in Indonesia, Yogyakarta is governed by Sultan Hamengkubuwono as the governor and Prince Paku Alam as the vice governor. With a land area of 3,185.8 km², it is the second-smallest province of Indonesia after Jakarta.

HISTORY

In Javanese it is pronounced [joɡjaˈkartɔ], and named after the city of Ayodhya in Javanese-Hindu mythology. The Dutch name of the Special Region is Djokjakarta.

The Sultanate has existed in various forms through prehistory, and survived through the rule of the Dutch and the 1942 invasion of the Dutch East Indies by the Japanese Empire. In August 1945 Indonesia's first president, Sukarno proclaimed the independence of the Indonesian Republic, and by September of that year, Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and duke Sri Paku Alam VIII had sent letters to Sukarno expressing their support for the newly-born nation of Indonesia, in which they acknowledged the Yogyakarta Sultanate as part of the Indonesian Republic. The Sunanate of Surakarta did the same, and both of the Javanese kingdoms were awarded special status as special regions within Indonesian Republic. However, due to a leftist anti-royalist uprising in Surakarta, the Sunanate of Surakarta lost its special administrative status in 1946 and was absorbed into the province of Central Java.

Yogyakarta's overwhelming support and the Sultan's patriotism were essential in the Indonesian struggle for independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949). The city of Yogyakarta became the capital of the Indonesian Republic from January 1946 to December 1948 after the fall of Jakarta to the Dutch. Later, the Dutch also invaded Yogyakarta causing the Indonesian Republic's capital to be transferred again to Bukittinggi in West Sumatra on 19 December 1948. In return for Yogyakarta's support, the declaration of Special Authority over Yogyakarta was granted in full in 1950 and Yogyakarta was given the status as a Special Administrative Region, making Yogyakarta the only region headed by a monarchy in Indonesia.

The Special Region was struck by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake on 27 May 2006, killing 5,782 people, injuring approximately 36,000 and leaving 600,000 people homeless. The region of Bantul suffered the most damage and deaths.

GEOGRAPHY

The Special Region is located near the southern coast of Java, surrounded on three sides by the province of Central Java, and with the Indian Ocean on the south side. The population at the 2010 Census was 3,452,390 people, but according to the latest official estimate (January 2014) has risen to 3,594,290. It has an area of 3,133.15 km2, making it the second-smallest area of the provinces in Indonesia, after the Jakarta Capital Region. Along with surrounding areas in Central Java, it has some of the highest population densities of Java.

Mount Merapi is located to the immediate north of the city of Yogyakarta and Sleman Regency. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. It last erupted in October–November 2010, killing and injuring many people and temporarily displacing approximately 100,000 residents.

GEO-HERITAGE SITES

Indonesia has numbers of geo-heritage sites in Yogyakarta Special Region. It has been declared by Geological Agency of the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry. The sites consists of 9 sites: Eosen limestone in Gamping (Sleman regency), pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman), pre-historic volcanic sediment in Candi Ijo, Prambanan (Sleman), sand dunes in Parangtritis Beach (Bantul regency), Kiskendo cave and former manganese mining site in Kleripan (Kulonprogo regency), the prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency), Wediombo-Siung beaches (Gunungkidul) and Bioturbasi site in Kalingalang (Gunungkidul). The most unusual one is pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman) which is a big, rough black rock lays on the bank of narrow Dengkeng River. The prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency) has already been developed as a tourist destination.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

Located within the Special Region of Yogyakarta, the city of Yogyakarta is known as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry and puppet shows. It is also one of Indonesia's most renowned centers of higher education. At the city's center is the Sultan's palace called the kraton. While the city sprawls in all directions from the kraton, the core of the modern city is to the north.

TRANSPORT

Yogyakarta is served by Adisucipto International Airport and New Yogyakarta International Airport which will be open for minimum operations at the end of April 2019. There are two train stations: Lempuyangan Station and Yogyakarta railway station.

HISTORICAL POPULATION

Year - Pop.±%

1971 - 2,489,360

1980 - 2,750,813+10.5%

1990 - 2,913,054+5.9%

1995 - 2,916,779+0.1%

2000 - 3,122,268+7.0%

2010 - 3,452,390+10.6%

2014 - 3,594,290+4.1%

Source: Badan Pusat Statistik 2010

Yogyakarta is considered one of the major hubs that links the west-east main railway route in Java island. Tugu railway station is the main train station located in center, and Lempuyangan train station is the second train station in the city. The two stations have own schedule from and to other cities in Java island. To the south, in the Bantul region, is the Giwangan bus station, the largest bus station in Indonesia. The centre of metropolitan Yogyakarta is surrounded by a ring road.

Since 2008, the Special Region of Yogyakarta launched bus rapid transit system, the Trans Jogja, which connects many places in and around Yogyakarta city, including the airport and Prambanan temple. Today, Trans Jogja has reached other points in the south-side of the city

EDUCATION

Yogyakarta is home to more than 100 institutions of higher education in Indonesia, the highest number of higher education institutions of any province in Indonesia. Hence, Yogyakarta earned its nickname "Kota Pelajar" (The City of Students).

Yogyakarta is the home of the first established state university in Indonesia, the Gadjah Mada University.

The Special Region is also the home of the first-established private university in Indonesia, the Islamic University of Indonesia, which was founded in 1945. The Indonesia Institute of Arts, the first-established university in fine arts, is also in the region. Other large universities include State Islamic University of Yogyakarta, University of Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa in Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta State University, Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta and University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta.

WIKIPEDIA

Ajodhya Hills, is a small plateau with hilly surroundings located in the Purulia district of the state West Bengal, India. It is the easternmost part of the Chhotanagpur Plateau and extended part of Eastern Ghats range.

West Bengal is one of the few states of India where per capita forest area is the lowest and density of population around fragmented forests is the highest. 13.38% area of the state is covered by forest, which is much less from the ideal national target of 33%.

The forest area occupies 12% geographical area of the Purulia District but it is too much fragmented. Highest concentration of forest area has been found in Bundwan Block (38.77%), followed by Bagmundi, Puncha and Manbazar I Block. Only 181 sq km may be considered as dense forest where canopy density is 40 % or more, another 426 sq km had been categories as open forest with canopy density ranges between 10% to 40%.

The District is the habitat of native Austro-Dravidian people from Neolithic period. Scheduled caste and scheduled tribe population together comprises 37.83% of the District total population. Due to the higher concentration of forest-dependent scheduled tribe population dependency on forest for food, fodder, fuel, fertilizer, house building materials and medicines are high in the District.

Illicit collection of fuel wood, fodder, small timber, medicinal plants and non-timber forest products by the villagers of forest fringe areas and the tribal people for domestic and commercial purposes is a key reason of forest degradation.

Sustainable livelihood is obviously associated with environmental conservation. Sustainable forest management, a harmonious balance between conservation of forests and development of forest dependent communities through livelihood security leads to the sustainable rural livelihood. With the adaptation of large scale social/farm forestry projects, along with land reforms and afforestation programme in the area, hopefully the area may convert into healthy forest land in near future.

Source: Changing Nature of Forest Resources and Its Impact on Tribal Livelihood: A Study of Purulia District, West Bengal, India

Arindam Roy, Sourav Mukherjee (2018) International Journal of Management and Social Sciences Research Volume 7, No. 4, April 2018

Images of Bengal, India

Bengal forest department will conduct its maiden project to spread Seed Balls in the arid regions of the state from July 14, 2019. The first project will be in the Kotsila forest range under Purulia forest division. Later, the experiment would be extended to the Ayodhya Hills which is also situated in Purulia district.

In dry or arid areas, where there is less availability of water, normal sapling plantations often fail. Charcoal powder is mixed with soil and made into small balls and in each ball there will be three small seeds. Charcoal acts as compost. The clay keeps the seeds moist as they germinate, the compost nourishes them as they grow, implanting themselves in the soil. This process is known as Associated Succession.

The Bengal forest department is using seeds of Sonajhuri, Neem, Jamul, Tamarind, Bael, Dates, etc. to make the seed balls. Bengal is trying to replicate Karnataka’s famous Bandipur Tiger Reserve experience where seeds balls have been spread and fresh green cover has been generated successfully by the forest department.

Bengal to Start Pilot on Seed Balls Dispersion

July 8, 2019 Sneha Verma

Historically, the Gudhi symbolizes Lord Rama’s victory and happiness on returning to Ayodhya after slaying Ravana. Since a symbol of victory is always held high, so is the gudhi (flag). It is believed that this festival is celebrated to commemorate the coronation of Rama post his return to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile. So, people celebrated victory of lord Rama every year by raising Gudi. Gudi is symbol of victory of lord Rama.

FOUNDER OF JAINISM

Jains believe that twenty-four tīrthaṅkaras or "ford-makers", teachers who establish the Jain teachings grace every half cycle of cosmic age indefinitely. Jains trace their history through a succession of these tīrthaṅkaras. Rishabhadev was the founder of Jainism in the present half-cycle of time. He was born at the end of the third period, suṣama-duḥṣamā (read as Sukhma-dukhma) of present descending (avasarpinî) half cycle of cosmic age.

Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara was a historical figure, who lived in the 9th century BCE. Historians believe him to be the founder of Jainism. However, the current knowledge about the history of India is not enough to say whether Parshvanatha decisively founded the Jain religion or not. In this regard, Hermann Jacobi, a noted indologist, writes:

There is nothing to prove that Parshva was the founder of Jainism. Jain tradition is unanimous in making Rishabha, the first Tirthankara, as its founder and there may be something historical in the tradition which makes him the first Tirthankara.

— Hermann Jacobi

LEGENDS

Rishabha was born to King Nabhi and Queen Marudevī at Ayodhya before human civilization was much developed and people were primitive and illiterate. He taught them tending of animals, cooking, poetry, painting, sculpture and similar arts. He introduced karma-bhumi (the age of action) by teaching six main professions to the householders for livelihood. They were Asi (swordsmanship for protection), Masi (writing skills), Krishi (agriculture) Vidya (knowledge), Vanijya (trade and commerce) and Shilp (crafts). The institution of marriage came into existence, during his time. He introduced a total of seventy-two sciences which includes arithmetic, the plastic and visual arts, the art of lovemaking, singing and dancing.

KINGDOM

His kingdom was kind and gentle and he is credited with transforming a tribal society into an orderly one. Like any Tirthankara and other legendary figures of Indian history (who were great warriors), he too was a great warrior with great strength and body. However, he never needed to show his warrior aspect. Rishabha is known for advocating non-violence. He was one of the greatest initiators of human progress.

Rishabha had two wives. One of them was Sunanda and the other is given different names, Yasaswati, Nanda and Sumangala, in different texts. He had one hundred sons and two daughters. Among these, Sunanda was the mother of Bahubali and Sundari whereas Sumangala was the mother of Bharata and Brahmi. He taught his daughters Brahmi and Sundari, the Brahmi-lipi (ancient Brahmi script) and the 'science of numbers' (Ank-Vidya) respectively.

RENUNCIATION

Some of the scriptures mention that a dancer named Nilanjana was sent by Indra for the purpose of awakening Rishabha to renounce the world. Indra staged the dancer's sudden death in order to awaken Rishabha and make him preach Jainism. The sudden fatal death of Nilanjana, reminded Rishabha of the world's transitory nature and he developed a desire for renunciation.

ASCETIC LIFE

Rishabha gave his kingdom to his 100 sons, of whom Bharata got the city of Vinita (Ayodhya) and Bahubali got the city of Podanapur (Taxila). He then became an ascetic. His aim was to cause less harm to others and keep no possessions.

AKSHAYA TRITIYA

Akshaya Tritya is considered holy and supremely auspicious by Jains. It is believed that Rishabha took his first ahara (alms) as an ascetic on this day. He was the first monk of the present age, and people didn't knew how to offer food (ahara) to Jain monks. King Shreyansa of Hastinapur town recollected his past life experiences and offered him sugarcane juice (ikshu-rasa). Jains attach great importance to this day as, it was only after 11 months and 13 days that Rishabha was offered food. It is celebrated on the third day of bright fortnight of the month Vaishaka. He got the name Ikshvaku from the word Ikhsu (sugarcane) and his dynasty became Ikshvaku dynasty.

OMNISCIENCE

He spent 1000 years performing austerities and then attained omniscience (Kevala Jnana).

MOKSHA

Rishabha was the first human to attain enlightenment in the present cosmic age. He traveled far and wide and preached Jainism. While traveling, he came across a mountain named Ashtapada, which is famously known as mount Kailash. Gods created a divine preaching hall known as samavasarana at this mountain for Rishabha. He attained liberation on Mount Kailasa at the age of 84 lakh purva (592.704 x 1018 years). His preachings were recorded in fourteen scriptures known as Purva.

PANCH KALYANAKA

The five kalyanakas are the five major events associated with a Tirthankara: Chyavana Kalyanaka on Jeth Vad 4, Janma Kalyanaka on Fagan Vad 8, Diksha Kalyanaka on Fagan Vad 8,Keval Gyan Kalyanaka on Maha Vad 11, and Moksha Kalyanaka on Posh Vad 13.

IN LITERATURE

There is mention of Rishabha in Hindu scriptures, like Bhagavata Puran. Rishabha also finds mention in Buddhist literature. It speaks of several tirthankara which includes Rishabha along with Padmaprabha, Chandraprabha, Pushpadanta, Vimalnatha, Dharmanatha and Neminatha. A Buddhist scripture named Dharmottarapradipa mentions Rishabha as an Apta (Tirthankara).

The Ādi purāṇa, a 10th-century Kannada language text by the poet Adikavi Pampa (fl. 941 CE), written in Champu style, a mix of prose and verse and spread over sixteen cantos, deals with the ten lives of Rishabha and his two sons. The life of Rishabha is also given in Mahapurana of Jinasena.

Bhaktamara Stotra by Acharya Manatunga is one of the most prevalent hymns of Rishabha.

ICONOGRAPHY

Rishabha is usually depicted in lotus position or kayotsarga, a standing posture of meditation. The distinguishing mark of Rishabha is his long locks of hair which fall on his shoulders and an image of a bull in his sculptures. His paintings usually depict various important events of his legend. Some of these include his marriage and Indra performing a ritual called abhisheka. He is sometimes shown as presenting a bowl to his followers and teaching them the art of pottery, painting a house, weaving textile. The visit of his mother Marudevi is also shown extensively in painting.

TEMPLES

Adinath Temple, Nahta Chowk, Bikaner, Rajasthan

Adishwar temple, Palitana, Gujarat

Adinath derasar, Vataman, Gujarat

Adinath temple, Khajuraho, MP

Adinath temple, Ayodhya, UP

Adinath temple, Chand-Khedi, Near Kota, Rajasthan

Adinath at Rishabhdeo or Rikhabdeo near Udaipur, Rajasthan

Adinath Bhagvan Temple, Mahrauli, Delhi

Bhagawan Adinath Temple, Hirehattihole, Karnataka

Adinath Bhagvan Temple, Ponnur Hill, Tamil Nadu

Adinath Temple in Ranila, Rohtak, Haryana

Adishwar Temple, Walkeshwar, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Adinath Jain Temple, Santhu Bagra (Marwar), Jalore, Rajasthan

Ajmer Jain Temple

WIKIPEDIA

The Special Region of Yogyakarta (Indonesian: Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, often pronounced /ˌjɒɡjəˈkɑːrtə/; Javanese: ꦣꦲꦺꦫꦃꦲꦶꦯ꧀ꦡꦶꦩꦺꦮꦔꦪꦺꦴꦒꦾꦏꦂꦠ) is a provincial-level autonomous region of Indonesia in the southern Java. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south, as well as sharing all the land borders to the province of Central Java. Ruled by the Yogyakarta Sultanate, the region is the only officially recognised monarchy within the government of Indonesia. The city of Yogyakarta is the capital and the economic center of the region.

The Yogyakarta Sultanate has been established since 1755 and provided an unwavering support for Indonesia's independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945–1949). As a first-level division in Indonesia, Yogyakarta is governed by Sultan Hamengkubuwono as the governor and Prince Paku Alam as the vice governor. With a land area of 3,185.8 km², it is the second-smallest province of Indonesia after Jakarta.

HISTORY

In Javanese it is pronounced [joɡjaˈkartɔ], and named after the city of Ayodhya in Javanese-Hindu mythology. The Dutch name of the Special Region is Djokjakarta.

The Sultanate has existed in various forms through prehistory, and survived through the rule of the Dutch and the 1942 invasion of the Dutch East Indies by the Japanese Empire. In August 1945 Indonesia's first president, Sukarno proclaimed the independence of the Indonesian Republic, and by September of that year, Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and duke Sri Paku Alam VIII had sent letters to Sukarno expressing their support for the newly-born nation of Indonesia, in which they acknowledged the Yogyakarta Sultanate as part of the Indonesian Republic. The Sunanate of Surakarta did the same, and both of the Javanese kingdoms were awarded special status as special regions within Indonesian Republic. However, due to a leftist anti-royalist uprising in Surakarta, the Sunanate of Surakarta lost its special administrative status in 1946 and was absorbed into the province of Central Java.

Yogyakarta's overwhelming support and the Sultan's patriotism were essential in the Indonesian struggle for independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949). The city of Yogyakarta became the capital of the Indonesian Republic from January 1946 to December 1948 after the fall of Jakarta to the Dutch. Later, the Dutch also invaded Yogyakarta causing the Indonesian Republic's capital to be transferred again to Bukittinggi in West Sumatra on 19 December 1948. In return for Yogyakarta's support, the declaration of Special Authority over Yogyakarta was granted in full in 1950 and Yogyakarta was given the status as a Special Administrative Region, making Yogyakarta the only region headed by a monarchy in Indonesia.

The Special Region was struck by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake on 27 May 2006, killing 5,782 people, injuring approximately 36,000 and leaving 600,000 people homeless. The region of Bantul suffered the most damage and deaths.

GEOGRAPHY

The Special Region is located near the southern coast of Java, surrounded on three sides by the province of Central Java, and with the Indian Ocean on the south side. The population at the 2010 Census was 3,452,390 people, but according to the latest official estimate (January 2014) has risen to 3,594,290. It has an area of 3,133.15 km2, making it the second-smallest area of the provinces in Indonesia, after the Jakarta Capital Region. Along with surrounding areas in Central Java, it has some of the highest population densities of Java.

Mount Merapi is located to the immediate north of the city of Yogyakarta and Sleman Regency. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. It last erupted in October–November 2010, killing and injuring many people and temporarily displacing approximately 100,000 residents.

GEO-HERITAGE SITES

Indonesia has numbers of geo-heritage sites in Yogyakarta Special Region. It has been declared by Geological Agency of the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry. The sites consists of 9 sites: Eosen limestone in Gamping (Sleman regency), pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman), pre-historic volcanic sediment in Candi Ijo, Prambanan (Sleman), sand dunes in Parangtritis Beach (Bantul regency), Kiskendo cave and former manganese mining site in Kleripan (Kulonprogo regency), the prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency), Wediombo-Siung beaches (Gunungkidul) and Bioturbasi site in Kalingalang (Gunungkidul). The most unusual one is pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman) which is a big, rough black rock lays on the bank of narrow Dengkeng River. The prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency) has already been developed as a tourist destination.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

Located within the Special Region of Yogyakarta, the city of Yogyakarta is known as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry and puppet shows. It is also one of Indonesia's most renowned centers of higher education. At the city's center is the Sultan's palace called the kraton. While the city sprawls in all directions from the kraton, the core of the modern city is to the north.

TRANSPORT

Yogyakarta is served by Adisucipto International Airport and New Yogyakarta International Airport which will be open for minimum operations at the end of April 2019. There are two train stations: Lempuyangan Station and Yogyakarta railway station.

HISTORICAL POPULATION

Year - Pop.±%

1971 - 2,489,360

1980 - 2,750,813+10.5%

1990 - 2,913,054+5.9%

1995 - 2,916,779+0.1%

2000 - 3,122,268+7.0%

2010 - 3,452,390+10.6%

2014 - 3,594,290+4.1%

Source: Badan Pusat Statistik 2010

Yogyakarta is considered one of the major hubs that links the west-east main railway route in Java island. Tugu railway station is the main train station located in center, and Lempuyangan train station is the second train station in the city. The two stations have own schedule from and to other cities in Java island. To the south, in the Bantul region, is the Giwangan bus station, the largest bus station in Indonesia. The centre of metropolitan Yogyakarta is surrounded by a ring road.

Since 2008, the Special Region of Yogyakarta launched bus rapid transit system, the Trans Jogja, which connects many places in and around Yogyakarta city, including the airport and Prambanan temple. Today, Trans Jogja has reached other points in the south-side of the city

EDUCATION

Yogyakarta is home to more than 100 institutions of higher education in Indonesia, the highest number of higher education institutions of any province in Indonesia. Hence, Yogyakarta earned its nickname "Kota Pelajar" (The City of Students).

Yogyakarta is the home of the first established state university in Indonesia, the Gadjah Mada University.

The Special Region is also the home of the first-established private university in Indonesia, the Islamic University of Indonesia, which was founded in 1945. The Indonesia Institute of Arts, the first-established university in fine arts, is also in the region. Other large universities include State Islamic University of Yogyakarta, University of Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa in Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta State University, Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta and University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta.

WIKIPEDIA

The Special Region of Yogyakarta (Indonesian: Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, often pronounced /ˌjɒɡjəˈkɑːrtə/; Javanese: ꦣꦲꦺꦫꦃꦲꦶꦯ꧀ꦡꦶꦩꦺꦮꦔꦪꦺꦴꦒꦾꦏꦂꦠ) is a provincial-level autonomous region of Indonesia in the southern Java. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south, as well as sharing all the land borders to the province of Central Java. Ruled by the Yogyakarta Sultanate, the region is the only officially recognised monarchy within the government of Indonesia. The city of Yogyakarta is the capital and the economic center of the region.

The Yogyakarta Sultanate has been established since 1755 and provided an unwavering support for Indonesia's independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945–1949). As a first-level division in Indonesia, Yogyakarta is governed by Sultan Hamengkubuwono as the governor and Prince Paku Alam as the vice governor. With a land area of 3,185.8 km², it is the second-smallest province of Indonesia after Jakarta.

HISTORY

In Javanese it is pronounced [joɡjaˈkartɔ], and named after the city of Ayodhya in Javanese-Hindu mythology. The Dutch name of the Special Region is Djokjakarta.

The Sultanate has existed in various forms through prehistory, and survived through the rule of the Dutch and the 1942 invasion of the Dutch East Indies by the Japanese Empire. In August 1945 Indonesia's first president, Sukarno proclaimed the independence of the Indonesian Republic, and by September of that year, Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and duke Sri Paku Alam VIII had sent letters to Sukarno expressing their support for the newly-born nation of Indonesia, in which they acknowledged the Yogyakarta Sultanate as part of the Indonesian Republic. The Sunanate of Surakarta did the same, and both of the Javanese kingdoms were awarded special status as special regions within Indonesian Republic. However, due to a leftist anti-royalist uprising in Surakarta, the Sunanate of Surakarta lost its special administrative status in 1946 and was absorbed into the province of Central Java.

Yogyakarta's overwhelming support and the Sultan's patriotism were essential in the Indonesian struggle for independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949). The city of Yogyakarta became the capital of the Indonesian Republic from January 1946 to December 1948 after the fall of Jakarta to the Dutch. Later, the Dutch also invaded Yogyakarta causing the Indonesian Republic's capital to be transferred again to Bukittinggi in West Sumatra on 19 December 1948. In return for Yogyakarta's support, the declaration of Special Authority over Yogyakarta was granted in full in 1950 and Yogyakarta was given the status as a Special Administrative Region, making Yogyakarta the only region headed by a monarchy in Indonesia.

The Special Region was struck by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake on 27 May 2006, killing 5,782 people, injuring approximately 36,000 and leaving 600,000 people homeless. The region of Bantul suffered the most damage and deaths.

GEOGRAPHY

The Special Region is located near the southern coast of Java, surrounded on three sides by the province of Central Java, and with the Indian Ocean on the south side. The population at the 2010 Census was 3,452,390 people, but according to the latest official estimate (January 2014) has risen to 3,594,290. It has an area of 3,133.15 km2, making it the second-smallest area of the provinces in Indonesia, after the Jakarta Capital Region. Along with surrounding areas in Central Java, it has some of the highest population densities of Java.

Mount Merapi is located to the immediate north of the city of Yogyakarta and Sleman Regency. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. It last erupted in October–November 2010, killing and injuring many people and temporarily displacing approximately 100,000 residents.

GEO-HERITAGE SITES

Indonesia has numbers of geo-heritage sites in Yogyakarta Special Region. It has been declared by Geological Agency of the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry. The sites consists of 9 sites: Eosen limestone in Gamping (Sleman regency), pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman), pre-historic volcanic sediment in Candi Ijo, Prambanan (Sleman), sand dunes in Parangtritis Beach (Bantul regency), Kiskendo cave and former manganese mining site in Kleripan (Kulonprogo regency), the prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency), Wediombo-Siung beaches (Gunungkidul) and Bioturbasi site in Kalingalang (Gunungkidul). The most unusual one is pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman) which is a big, rough black rock lays on the bank of narrow Dengkeng River. The prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency) has already been developed as a tourist destination.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

Located within the Special Region of Yogyakarta, the city of Yogyakarta is known as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry and puppet shows. It is also one of Indonesia's most renowned centers of higher education. At the city's center is the Sultan's palace called the kraton. While the city sprawls in all directions from the kraton, the core of the modern city is to the north.

TRANSPORT

Yogyakarta is served by Adisucipto International Airport and New Yogyakarta International Airport which will be open for minimum operations at the end of April 2019. There are two train stations: Lempuyangan Station and Yogyakarta railway station.

HISTORICAL POPULATION

Year - Pop.±%

1971 - 2,489,360

1980 - 2,750,813+10.5%

1990 - 2,913,054+5.9%

1995 - 2,916,779+0.1%

2000 - 3,122,268+7.0%

2010 - 3,452,390+10.6%

2014 - 3,594,290+4.1%

Source: Badan Pusat Statistik 2010

Yogyakarta is considered one of the major hubs that links the west-east main railway route in Java island. Tugu railway station is the main train station located in center, and Lempuyangan train station is the second train station in the city. The two stations have own schedule from and to other cities in Java island. To the south, in the Bantul region, is the Giwangan bus station, the largest bus station in Indonesia. The centre of metropolitan Yogyakarta is surrounded by a ring road.

Since 2008, the Special Region of Yogyakarta launched bus rapid transit system, the Trans Jogja, which connects many places in and around Yogyakarta city, including the airport and Prambanan temple. Today, Trans Jogja has reached other points in the south-side of the city

EDUCATION

Yogyakarta is home to more than 100 institutions of higher education in Indonesia, the highest number of higher education institutions of any province in Indonesia. Hence, Yogyakarta earned its nickname "Kota Pelajar" (The City of Students).

Yogyakarta is the home of the first established state university in Indonesia, the Gadjah Mada University.

The Special Region is also the home of the first-established private university in Indonesia, the Islamic University of Indonesia, which was founded in 1945. The Indonesia Institute of Arts, the first-established university in fine arts, is also in the region. Other large universities include State Islamic University of Yogyakarta, University of Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa in Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta State University, Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta and University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta.

WIKIPEDIA

Hanuman Dhara Temple is located at Chitrakoot belongs to Chitrakoot district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

It is situated on top of the Hill and required to climb approximately 360 steps to reach the temple.

Legend says that after setting Lanka on Fire with his burning tail, Hanuman was still feeling the heat consuming his body. He on his return to Sumeru Mountain pleaded to Lord Ram for help, upon which Lord Ram directed him to go to Mount Chitrakoot where his pains shall be relieved by a divine Rivulet.

Chitrakoot is the place where Bhagwan Shri Ram with wife Sita and brother Lakshman spent his time during exile and Bharat came from Ayodhya to meet his elder brother Shri Ram.

Sita Rasoi at Chitrakoot is situated about 100 feet from the Hanuman Dhara. This is the place where Devi Sita is said to have cooked Kandmools (root vegetables) for Lord Shri Ram and Lakshman.

Myth also says that Chitrakoot is the place where Goswami Tulsidas has a vision of Lord Shri Ram by the great grace of Hanumanji.

चित्रकूट के घाट पर भई संतन की भीर I

तुलसीदास चंदन घिसें तिलक देत रघुबीर II

Other Places of Interest:-

(1) Ram Ghat

(2) Kamad Giri

(3) Sphatik Shila

(4) Janki Kund

(5) Lakshman Pahadi

(6) Bharat Milap Mandir

(7) Devangana

Photographed 01 November 2018, Ayutthaya Historical Park, Ayutthaya, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand

The Historic City of Ayutthaya, founded in 1350, was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom. It flourished from the 14th to the 18th centuries, during which time it grew to be one of the world’s largest and most cosmopolitan urban areas and a center of global diplomacy and commerce. Ayutthaya was strategically located on an island surrounded by three rivers connecting the city to the sea. This site was chosen because it was located above the tidal bore of the Gulf of Siam as it existed at that time, thus preventing attack of the city by the sea-going warships of other nations. The location also helped to protect the city from seasonal flooding.

The city was attacked and razed by the Burmese army in 1767 who burned the city to the ground and forced the inhabitants to abandon the city. The city was never rebuilt in the same location and remains known today as an extensive archaeological site.

At present, it is located in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. The total area of the World Heritage property is 289 ha.

When Rama was banished to the forest his wife Sita refused to be left behind, stating that a woman's place is always with her husband. Rama's dear brother Laxman also would not stay in Ayodhya without him. And so, the three of them left for the forest.

Although Sita was a gentle princess accustomed to the luxury of palaces, she greatly enjoyed forest life. The beauty of the forest and the sweetness of the animals brought her immense joy, and she felt she had nothing to fear as long as Rama was by her side. In the spring, the forest was especially enchanting. Sita, Rama, and Laxman spent many happy years together in the forest and befriended many of the animals.

When Sumantra had proceeded back to Ayodhya, Bhagwan Shri Ram, Anuj Lakshman & Devi Sita with Nishadraaj Guh came to the ferry (Bank of Holy River Ganga). Nishadraaj Guh asked Boatman to carry them across the Ganga.

Meantime, Lord Shri Ram goes into Ganga’s bankside water, take holy water in hand and pray to Ganga:

“Born of Vishnu’s holy feet, you are named from him (Vaishnavi),

You flow through mountains, O protector of the world! O Great Mother Ganga! I bow to you.”

Boatman came but refused to carry and said with folding his hands to Lord Shri Ram, “My Lord! I have heard that the touch of your feet has a magical effect. Anything touching them turns into a lovely woman. Is it true that a rock turned into a lady (Ahalya) on touching your feet? My boat is made of wood only. If it changes into a woman, my family is sure to starve. No, my Lord, no! You’ll not enter my boat.”

God Shri Ram smiled and asked to Boatman, “Then how’ll we cross the Ganga? And how can your doubt be set at rest, friend? Let me know.”

Boatman replied to Lord Shri Ram “There is only one way.”

Lord Shri Ram further inquired, “That is what?”

Boatman revealed, “If there’s magic in the dust from your feet, I’ll first scrub them, then wash them well. Collect the water and then drink it, if the magic doesn’t affect me, then I’ll let you step into my boat. Ok…Think it over…shall I send for some Ganga water? ...Boatman louded to his wife Parvati to bring some Ganga water.”

“All right; wash my feet and get us across at once,” vocalized Shri Ramchandra.

Boatman’s wife Parvati brings Gangaajal in Katharot (कथौटा/कथरोट).

The Boatman washed Bhagwan Shri Ram’s feet with the holy water of Ganga.

Having set his doubt at rest, the Boatman made Lord Shri Ram; Lakshman & Sita with Nishadraj sit in his boat and began to row it towards the other bank.

Reaching the other back, all the four got down. The Boatman lay prostrate at Prabhu Shri Ram’s feet. Lord Shri Ram felt that he must pay the Boatman his wages and understanding husband’s thought, Sita took off her Gold Ring then after Bhagwan Shri Ram handing it across to the Boatman and said, “Here is your wages.”

Boatman gives very good answer to Lord Shri Ram:

“A washerman takes no money from fellow washerman, A barber takes naught from fellow barber, You are a boatman (Bhav-Sagar Khevaiya) and I am boatman too, So how can I take from you the ferry charge? Ferry me across this of sorrow, O’ Lord, Help me alight when I reach your bank but pay me not my ferry charge.” Saying so, the Boatman folded his hands and said, “I have already got it, the wash of Lord Shri Ram’s feet is much more than my wages. It has done away with all my sins, sorrow and difficulties. So, I don’t want anything now.”

Bidding farewell to the Boatman, Prabhu Shri Raghunathji worshipped Lord Ganesha & Shiva while Devi Sita implored the holy river Ganga, “O Sacred Mother Ganga! I’ve achieved my heart’s desire on seeing you, Now, Bless me when I return from exile with my husband and devarji, I may worship you once again. Fulfill my heart’s desire, Hey! Mother Ganga!"

Said Ganga Maiya then:

“Listen, Vaidehi, beloved wife of Lord Shri Ram, who in world knows not your glory!

On whom you look they become guardians of heavens,

And all mystic powers wait upon with folded hands,

By deigning to address your prayers to me, you grace me with your favour and exalt me highly,

With your beloved lord and his brother, you shall return in all safety to Ayodhya,

Every wish of your heart shall come true, and your fair fame shall spread throughout the world.”

“The night passed under the open sky, in the company of Sita, Anuj and friend,

At daybreak did awake the most auspicious Lord Raghunath, to journey towards holy Prayag.”

Lord Shri Ram accompanied by his brother, wife and friend Nishadraj, crossed the dense forest and came to Prayag, a town at the confluence and on the banks of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. God Shri Ram found bliss, along with Sita and Anuj Lakshman with Nishadraj.

“To behold the confluence of the holy rivers three,

Came a human confluence of noble beings three.”

Ajmer Jain Temple, also known as Soniji Ki Nasiyan, is an architecturally rich Jain temple. It was built in the late nineteenth century. The main chamber, known as the Swarna Nagari "City of Gold", has several gold-plated wooden figures, depicting several figures in the Jain religion.

Kurt Titze, in his book, "Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence" (1998, p. 143), writes on Soniji Ki Nasiyan:

"Ajmer's main attraction is - for the Jainas - the prominently situated Nasiayan Digambara Temple, or rather the two-storied Svarana Nagara Hall behind the temple, better known as the Museum. Both the temple and the museum were built and are still owned by the Sony family of Ajmer. The temple, dedicated to Rishabha or Adinatha in 1865, was constructed of red sandstone in a matter of a few years, but it took twenty-five years, from 1870 to 1895, to fashion - by artisans at Jaipur - the thousands of individual parts required to assemble a three-dimensional replica of the story of Rishabha in accordance with an old manuscript by Acharya Jinasena.

The thought to have such a three-dimensional model for eduational purposes occurred to Seth Moolchand Soni, who was born in 1830, only after the completion of the temple. His death in 1891 prevented him from seeing his ambitious work in its finished state.

In many Jaina temples one sees painted or figurative representations of the 'five auspicious events' (pancha-kalyanak) in the life of every Tirthankara: conception, birth, renunciation, enlightenment, and salvation (moksha or nirvana). The one at Ajmer, now over a hundred years old, is by far the largest and most artistic plastic representation of that much-loved mythological narrative. A specially designed hall of 24.3 m by 12.2 m had to be build to display it effectively. It is open to visitors of all religions every day all the year round for a very small entry fee."

HISTORY

Greatly revered by the Digambar sect of the Jains, the Nasiyan temple is dedicated to Lord Rishabhdev, first of the 24 Tirthankars [religious path makers of the Jains] by Rai Bahadur Seth Moolchand and Nemichand Soni. It is situated on Prithvi Raj Marg in Ajmer, the heart of Rajasthan state in India. The foundation of this magnificent Jain temple was laid on 10 October 1864 and the image of the first Tirthankar Lord Rishabhdev (Adinath), was installed in the Sanctum Sanctorum on 26 May 1865. This work was carried out under the able guidance of the great scholar Pandit Sadasukhdasji of Jaipur.

The name of the temple is Siddhkoot Chaityalaya. It is also known as 'Red Temple' as it is built of red sand stone or 'Nasiyan of Seth Moolchand Soni' signifying the founder’s name. After the Svarna Nagri was added to the temple in 1895 A.D. it popularly began to be called as 'Sone ka Mandir' or 'Soni Mandir' emphasizing the golden structure as well as the family name. The halls of this temple are adorned with fascinating series of large, gilt wooden figures and delicate paintings that display scenes from Jain scriptures.

MAIN TEMPLE

The entrance gate of the temple is made of red sand stone brought from Karauli. In front of the gateway is the marble staircase, leading to the main temple, which is embellished with the images of the Tirthankars.

VEDI´S

The central image is of Lord Rishabhdev seated in the "Samavasharana" - in which He imparts true knowledge to the suffering humanity, so that they get liberated from the entanglements of life and death. In the year 2005, the 3 Vedi's were renovated and all the idols of Tirthankaras were re-installed amidst religious rituals and ceremonies. In this portion only Jains are allowed to perform their religious rituals.

MANASTAMBHA

On entering this historical temple one gets the view of the beautifully and artistically designed 82 feet high Manastambha. R. B. Seth Tikamchand Soni laid the foundation and R. B. Seth Sir Bhagchand Soni built this Manastambha. He, along with his sons Prabhachand, Nirmalchand & Sushilchand consecrated and installed the images of the Jain Tirthankars in it. A big function was held for ten days in June 1953, where along with the members of the Soni family, thousands of others participated.

LIBRARY

In the year 1974, in the auspicious presence of 108 Acharya VidhyasagarJi Maharaj, a big library was established by R.B. Seth Sir Bhagchand Soni. The library houses rare Jain scriptures which are extensively used for research by scholars.

VISITORS

The temple is being visited by many tourists annually. Distinguished Visitors include India's first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indra Gandhi, Morarji Desai & Rajiv Gandhi, Commander-in-Chief General K.M.Kariappa. Pre independence the Viceroy and Vicerene of India Lord & Lady Irwin and Lady Willingdon also visited.

SWARNA NAGARI

It came to R.B. Seth Moolchand Soni’s mind that 5 Kalyanakas of Lord Rishabhdev could be displayed in models. Accordingly, the work started in Jaipur and it took 25 years to complete these replicas of Ayodhya and Mt. Sumeru. The whole structure, covered with gold leaf, is made according to the descriptions contained in Adi Purana written by His Holiness Shri Jina Sen Acharya.

On completion, the models were displayed in Museum Hall in Jaipur. A big fair was celebrated for ten days in 1895 A.D which was attended by H.H.Maharaja Madhosinghji of Jaipur. The models were thereafter installed in the building behind the Main Temple. This Hall is richly painted in variegated colours, and the walls and ceiling are covered with glass mosaic work.

GARBHA KALYANAK (CONCEPTION)

The great soul of the Lord is emulated and glorified by the Celestials even six months before He comes into his mother’s womb. Saudharma Indra, the Lord of the celestials, ordered Kubera to rain down priceless jewels in the palace of his father Maharaj Nabhiraj, thus announcing the coming of the Saviour of the World. The golden city of Ayodhya was constructed by the Celestials according to the wishes of Indra. After six months, the mother Marudevi saw sixteen symbolic dreams, signifying that she was going to be the mother of The Tirthankar.

JANMA KALYANAK (BIRTH)

When Lord Rishabhdev was born in the royal palace in the center of Ayodhya, the thrones of Indras vibrated indicating the birth of the Divine Child. The celestials marched towards the city with great majesty. Indra, after completing three rounds of the city took the Baby Tirthankar on the 'Airawat' (Elephant) to Mt. Sumeru. On this golden mountain lies Panduk Shila upon which the Baby Tirthankar was seated for Mahabhisheka (the great sacred ablution) ceremony. The ablution was performed by the waters of the distant ocean Kshira Samudra, brought in 1008 huge pitchers. After this, the celestial company returned the Baby Tirthankar to the Palace of Maharaj Nabhiraj leaving several Celestials as child playmates with Him. Rishabhdev attained manhood and succeeded his father to the throne of Ayodhya.

TAP KALYANAK (RENUNCIATION)

As Rishabhdev became engrossed in worldly affairs, Indra appeared before Him with Apsara Nilanjana. She danced before Him and suddenly disappeared, discarding her mortal coil. This reminded Rishabhdev of the transient nature of the World and He decided to renounce it.

Installing in his place his eldest son Bharat, He left the palace followed by 4000 other kings. Indra followed by the other Celestials, took Rishabhdev in procession to the Triveni, the confluence of the Ganges, the Jamuna and the Saraswati at Prayag ( Allahabad ) where under the shade of the Akshayavat (sacred Banyan Tree) Rishabhdev gave up the world, including his clothes and gave himself to contemplation. He pulled out his hair (Kesh Lonch) by his own hands depicting his extreme detachment to all worldly and bodily comforts. Lord Rishabhdev took his first meal after one year of austerities and penance. Raja Shreyans, the king of Hastinapur, had the good fortune of being the first person to offer him a meal in the form of Sugarcane Juice on the 3rd day of the bright fortnight of the month of Vaishakha. This occasion is celebrated even today as "Akshaya Triteeyaa".

KEVAL JNAN KALYANAK (OMNISCENCE)

After 1000 years of austerities and penance, Lord Rishabhdev attained Keval Jnan (Omniscience) at Mount Kailash. Indra arranged a beautiful place of congregation known as "Samavasharana" where the Lord preached the doctrine of non-attachment to the world. Celestials, humans, and even birds & animals gathered to listen to Him. Tirthankars attain the power of walking in sky after attaining Omniscience. 225 Golden lotuses are placed beneath the Lord’s feet during his travel by Indra.

MOKSHA KALYANAK

On Mount Kailash where Lord Rishabhdev attained Salvation or Nirvana, his eldest son Bharat, the first Chakravarty (emperor of Bharat Kshetra), constructed seventy two magnificent golden temples.

Raghurajpur is a heritage crafts village in Puri district, Odisha, known for its master Pattachitra painters, an art form which dates back to 5 BC in the region and Gotipua dance troupes, the precursor to the Indian classical dance form of Odissi; it is also known as the birthplace of one of the finest Odissi exponents and Guru, Kelucharan Mohapatra. Apart from that, the village is also home to crafts like Tussar paintings, palm leaf engravings, stone and wood carvings, wooden, cowdung and paper mache toys, and masks.

In 2000, after a two-year research and documentation project by INTACH, starting 1998, the village was chosen to be developed as state's first heritage village and developed as a Crafts village, soon the village had an interpretation centre, commissioned artwork on the walls of the artists’ homes and a rest house.

It also has the distinction of the only place where the traditional decoration called Patas, used under the throne of Lord Jagannath and on the three chariots during the annual Rath Yatra festival, that takes place at pilgrimage town of Puri, some 14 km away, known for the Jagannath Temple.

OVERVIEW

Situated amidst groves of coconut, palm, mango and jack fruit, the main village has two streets with over 120 houses, most decorated with mural paintings, where the painters reside and practice their pattachitra craft, besides many other that practices throughout the village, including traditional masks, stone idols, papier mache, sculptures, wooden toys. The village also a series of temples dedicated not only to Bhuasuni, the local deity but also to various Hindu gods including, Radha Mohan, Gopinath, Raghunath, Laxminarayan and Gouranga.

Around, 2000 it was developed as a heritage village by INTACH, and soon became a major rural tourist destination of the state, drawing tourist, both domestic and foreign to the village. Villagers were also trained to provide heritage walks to the visitors by the organisation, and has since become a template for heritage tourism in the region.

Today it is also the venue of the annual Basant Utsav - Parampara Raghurajpur (Spring Festival), which was first organized in 1993 under the aegis of State Tourism Department and astern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, held in the month of February/March and an important tourist draw.

PATTACHITRA

The pattachitra paintings are made over a piece of cloth known as Patta or a dried palm leaf, which is first painted with a mixture of chalk and gum. Over the prepared surface, colorful and intricate pictures of various Gods, Goddesses, and mythological scenes with ornamentation of flowers, trees and animals are then painted. The paintings on Tussar saris, especially the Sambalpuri Saree depicting Mathura Vijay, Raslila and Ayodhya Vijay owe their origin to ‘Raghurajpur Pattachitra paintings’.

LOCATION

It is situated 14 km away from Hindu pilgrimage town of Puri, on the southern banks of river Bhargabi (Bhargavi). Visitors from Puri take the Bhubaneswar road, near Chandanpur, on NH 203, and upon reaching the Chandanpur Bazaar, they can take a right turn to reach Raghurajpur. The village is then around 1.5 km from Chandanpur.

WIKIPEDIA

Ayutthaya Historical Park (Thai: อุทยานประวัติศาสตร์พระนครศรีอยุธยา (Pronunciation)) covers the ruins of the old city of Ayutthaya, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand. The city of Ayutthaya was founded by King Ramathibodi I in 1351, though it is likely to be significantly older, based on evidence showning that the area was already populated during the Mon Dvaravati period. Sources further mention that around 850 AD, the Khmers occupied the area and established a stronghold there, naming it Ayodhya after one of the holiest Hindu cities in India of the same name. The early history of Ayutthaya is connected to this Khmer settlement. Additionally, Prince Damrong has also attested to the existence of a city named Ayodhya, founded by the Khmers ruling from Lopburi at the point where the three rivers meet. An excavation map shows traces of an ancient baray (water reservoir) close to the southwestern tip of Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, which could have been built on a former important Khmer temple complex.

The city was captured by the Burmese in 1569. Though not pillaged, it lost "many valuable and artistic objects.":42–43 It was the capital of the country until its destruction by the Burmese army in 1767.

In 1969, the Fine Arts Department of Thailand began renovations of the ruins, scaling up the project after the site was declared a historical park in 1976. Part of the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

Visit this location at Ayodhya Ram Mandir in Second Life

View of Gopuram of Hanuman Temple

Rishabhanatha (Sanskrit Ṛṣabha, lit. "bull"), also known as Adinatha (Ādinātha), is said to be the first Tirthankara of the present half cycle of time (as per Jain cosmology). Rishabhanatha is known by many names like Adinatha (the first world teacher), Adish Jina (first Jina or conqueror), Adi Purush (first perfect man), Ikshvaku, Vidhata and Srista.

OVERVIEW

Jains believe that twenty-four tīrthaṅkaras or "ford-makers", teachers who establish the Jain teachings grace every half cycle of time indefinitely. Jains trace their history through a succession of these tirthankaras. Rishabhanatha was the founder of Jainism in the present half-cycle of time. He was born at the end of the third period, suṣama-duḥṣamā (read as Sukhma-dukhma) of present descending (avasarpinî) half cycle of cosmic age.

Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara was a historical figure, who lived in the 9th century BCE. Historians believe him to be the founder of Jainism. However, the current knowledge about the history of India is not enough to say whether Parshvanatha decisively founded the Jain religion or not. In this regard, Hermann Jacobi, a noted indologist, writes:

There is nothing to prove that Parshva was the founder of Jainism. Jain tradition is unanimous in making Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara, as its founder and there may be something historical in the tradition which makes him the first Tirthankara.

— Hermann Jacobi

LEGENDS

GARBHA KALYANA

On the second day of Ashadha (month of Hindu calendar) Krishna (dark fortnight), Queen Marudevi saw sixteen auspicious dreams. King Nabhi explained these dreams to her as a sign of Tirthankara's birth. This event is the first Kalyanaka of Panch Kalyanaka (five auspicious events) and is known as garbha kalyana. This means enlivening of the embryo through the descent of the life (soul) in the mortal body.

BIRTH

Rishabhanatha was born to King Nabhi and Queen Marudevi at Ayodhya on the ninth day of Chaitra Krishna (Hindu calendar). This is the second of Panch Kalyanaka and is known as Janma Kalyanaka.

KINGDOM

His kingdom was kind and gentle and he is credited with transforming a tribal society into an orderly one. Like any Tirthankara and other legendary figures of Indian history (who were great warriors), he too was a great warrior with great strength and body. However, he never needed to show his warrior aspect. Rishabhanatha is known for advocating non-violence. He was one of the greatest initiators of human progress.

Rishabhanatha had two wives. One of them was Sunanda and the other is given different names, Yasaswati, Nanda and Sumangala, in different texts. He had one hundred sons and two daughters. Among these, Sunanda was the mother of Bahubali and Sundari whereas Sumangala was the mother of Bharata and Brahmi. He taught his daughters Brahmi and Sundari, the Brahmi-lipi (ancient Brahmi script) and the 'science of numbers' (Ank-Vidya) respectively.

RENUNCIATION

Some of the scriptures mention that a dancer named Nilanjana was sent by Indra for the purpose of awakening Rishabhanatha to renounce the world. Indra staged the dancer's sudden death in order to awaken Rishabhanatha and make him preach Jainism. The sudden fatal death of Nilanjana, reminded Rishabhanatha of the world's transitory nature and he developed a desire for renunciation.He gave his kingdom to his 100 sons, of whom Bharata got the city of Vinita (Ayodhya) and Bahubali got the city of Podanapur (Taxila) and became an ascetic on the ninth day of Chaitra Krishna (Hindu calendar). The renunciation is the third of Panch Kalyanaka and is called Diksha Kalyanaka. His aim was to cause less harm to others and keep no possessions.

AKSHAYA TRITIYA

Akshaya Tritya is considered holy and supremely auspicious by Jains. It is believed that Rishabhanatha took his first ahara (alms) as an ascetic on this day. He was the first monk of the present age, and people didn't knew how to offer food (ahara) to Jain monks. King Shreyansa of Hastinapur town recollected his past life experiences and offered him sugarcane juice (ikshu-rasa). Jains attach great importance to this day as, it was only after 11 months and 13 days that Rishabhanatha was offered food. It is celebrated on the third day of bright fortnight of the month Vaishaka. He got the name Ikshvaku from the word Ikhsu (sugarcane) and his dynasty became Ikshvaku dynasty

ENLIGHTENMENT

He spent 1000 years performing austerities and then attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience) on the eleventh day of Falgun Krishna (Hindu calendar) over Palitana hills of Gujarat. This is the fourth of Panch Kalyanaka of a Tirthankara and is known as Kevala Gyan Kalyanaka. He was the first human to attain enlightenment in the present cosmic age.

MOKSHA

Rishabhanatha traveled far and wide preaching Jainism. He attained Moksha on fourteenth day of Magha Krishna (Hindu Calendar). While traveling, he came across a mountain named Ashtapada, which is famously known as mount Kailash. Deva (heavenly beings) created a divine preaching hall known as samavasarana at this mountain for Rishabhanatha. He attained Moksha on Mount Kailasa at the age of 84 lakh purva (592.704 x 1018 years). His preachings were recorded in fourteen scriptures known as Purva.

TEACHINGS

Human civilization was not much developed before him and people were primitive and illiterate. He taught them tending of animals, cooking, poetry, painting, sculpture and similar arts. He introduced karma-bhumi (the age of action) by teaching six main professions to the householders for livelihood. They were Asi (swordsmanship for protection), Masi (writing skills), Krishi (agriculture) Vidya (knowledge), Vanijya (trade and commerce) and Shilp (crafts).The institution of marriage came into existence, during his time. He introduced a total of seventy-two sciences which includes arithmetic, the plastic and visual arts, the art of lovemaking, singing and dancing.

IN LITERATURE

There is mention of Rishabhanatha in Hindu scriptures, like Bhagavata Puran. Rishabhanatha also finds mention in Buddhist literature. It speaks of several tirthankara which includes Rishabhanatha along with Padmaprabha, Chandraprabha, Pushpadanta, Vimalnatha, Dharmanatha and Neminatha. A Buddhist scripture named Dharmottarapradipa mentions Rishabhanatha as an Apta (Tirthankara).

The Ādi purāṇa, a 10th-century Kannada language text by the poet Adikavi Pampa (fl. 941 CE), written in Champu style, a mix of prose and verse and spread over sixteen cantos, deals with the ten lives of Rishabhanatha and his two sons.The life of Rishabhanatha is also given in Mahapurana of Jinasena.

Bhaktamara Stotra by Acharya Manatunga is one of the most prevalent hymns of Rishabhanatha.

ICONOGRAPHY

Rishabhanatha is usually depicted in lotus position or kayotsarga, a standing posture of meditation. The distinguishing mark of Rishabhanatha is his long locks of hair which fall on his shoulders and an image of a bull in his sculptures. His paintings usually depict various important events of his legend. Some of these include his marriage and Indra performing a ritual called abhisheka. He is sometimes shown as presenting a bowl to his followers and teaching them the art of pottery, painting a house, weaving textile. The visit of his mother Marudevi is also shown extensively in painting.

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Odisha State Museum (Odia: ଓଡ଼ିଶା ରାଜ୍ୟ ସଂଗ୍ରହାଳୟ) is a museum in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. In its original form it was established in 1932 and later moved to the current building in 1960. The museum is divided into eleven sections, viz, Archaeology, Epigraphy, Numismatics, Armoury, Mining & Geology, Natural History, Art & Craft, Contemporary Art, Patta Painting, Anthropology and Palmleaf Manuscripts. The museum is headed by a superintendent and the administrative control lies in the hands of Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Odisha.

HISTORY

The origin of this museum can be traced back to 1932, when some historians and professors, like William Jones, Ghanashyam Das, N. C. Banerjee, Harekrushna Mahatab established a museum in Ravenshaw College, Cuttack. In 1945-46, the Museum was shifted to Brahmananda building in old Bhubaneswar and given the status of a State Museum by the Government of Odisha. Later, the Museum was shifted to Patel Hall in 1950 and again to another building in Unit - I, Bhubaneswar. In 1957, the foundation of the Museum was laid by then President of India, Rajendra Prasad, and finally the Museum in the current building started operating from 1960.

WIKIPEDIA

Le super-primate n’est cependant pas parfait et sait faire preuve d’une fantaisie très… thaïlandaise.

Hanuman est emprunté à la mythologie Hindoue

Le dieu-singe Hanuman (prononcez hanoumane) apparaît initialement dans les deux livres sacrés de l’hindouisme: le Mahābhārata et le Râmâyana, écrits entre moins 300 ans avant Jésus Christ et plus 300 après J.C.

Le Râmâyana, raconte l’épopée de Rama (Phra Ram en Thaï), un roi de l’inde antique ayant vécu 20 siècles avant notre ère, considéré comme le 7ième avatar (incarnation d’une divinité sur terre) de Vishnou.

Vishnou est l’une des trois divinités suprêmes de l’hindouisme, avec Brahma et Shiva.

Hanuman, le super-héros Thaï

Hanuman est le fils d’une Apsara (une divinité féminine dotée d’une très grande beauté) et son père n’est autre que Vayu le dieu du vent, mais certaines sources racontent qu’il pourrait être également la réincarnation du dieu Shiva.

Il est souvent représenté avec une fourrure blanche (couleur diamant), il possède une très grande queue, il peut être dépeint avec 2, 4, 6 ou 8 bras.

Hanuman possède de nombreux pouvoirs que lui ont attribués les dieux Hindous:

Il possède une force surhumaine

Il a le pouvoir de changer de taille à sa guise et d’allonger sa queue pour saisir ses ennemis

Il est extrêmement rapide comme Garuda, la créature mi-homme mi-oiseaux

Il ne craint ni l’eau ni le feu

De son père il reçoit la capacité de voler

Hanuman est immortel

Pour les thaïs Hanuman symbolise les qualités humaines suivantes:

Dévotion totale, force, courage, persévérance, loyauté, altruisme, abnégation, noblesse d’âme…

Les aventures de Hanuman dans le Ramakien

Le ramakien est une épopée longue et complexe, ou le bien et la mal s’affronte, mettant en scène des dizaines de personnages imaginaires, pour simplifier:

Sita l’épouse du futur roi du royaume de Ayodhya, Rama est capturé par le démon Tosakan qui veut en faire sa femme. Rama et son frère Lacksman partent pour le royaume de Lanka délivrer la belle Sita. En route il rencontre Hanuman qui décide d’aider les deux frères dans leur quête et rallie à ses cotés une armée de singe.

Après de nombreuses batailles, ruses et rebondissements, Tosakan est tué par Hanuman et Sita retrouve Rama.

Hanuman, charismatique et séducteur

Dans sa version thaïlandaise l’espiègle Hanuman est un grand séducteur, il a le pouvoir de charmer toutes les femmes qu’il rencontre et il ne s’en prive pas.

Laissant parfois sa mission comme serviteur de Rama de côté, préférant “fleurter” notamment avec la fille de Tosakan: Suvannamaccha, une sirène avec qui il aura même un fils, ou Mandodari (นางมณโฑ), une des nombreuses femmes de Tosakan…

Avec une icône volage comme Hanuman, il n’est pas étonnant de retrouver les thaïs (hommes et femmes confondus) en haut des classements des plus infidèles au monde

Un maître pour les Nak Muay

Pour les boxeurs thaïs il est un exemple de courage, de force et d’abnégation et nombreux sont les combattants qui arborent des tatouages du dieu singe.

Dans les temps anciens les tatouages de Hanuman étaient réalisés avec un mélange d’encre et de sang de singe, afin que son esprit prenne possession du corps du boxeur pendant ses combats et lui assure la victoire.

Il est bien connu que le muay thaï s’inspire des animaux et de la nature mais également de certaines scènes de la mythologie et du ramakien, dont deux mettent en scène notre singe préféré :

Hanuman Tawai Waen (หนุมานถวายแหวน)

Cette technique de poing spectaculaire (double uppercut), symbolise Hanuman donnant à Sita sa propre bague, pour la convaincre qu’il est au service de Rama.

bangkokboogie.com/hanuman-mythologie-thai/

Kushinagar is a town and a Nagar Panchayat in Kushinagar district of Indian state of Uttar Pradesh located around NH-28, being 52 km east to Gorakhpur city. It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Buddhists believe Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana after his death. Nearest towns to Kushinagar are Kasia, Hata, Padrauna, Deoria and Fazilnagar.

ANCIENT HISTORY

In ancient times, it was known as Kushavati (Jatakas). It finds mention in epic Ramayan as the city of Kusha the son of Ram, the famous king of Ayodhya. Kushinagar was a celebrated center of the Malla kingdom of ancient India. Later, it would be known as Kushinara, one of the most important four holy sites for Buddhists. At this location, near the Hiranyavati River, Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (or 'Final Nirvana') after falling ill from eating a meal of a species of mushroom.

Many of the ruined stupas and viharas here date back to 3rd century BCE - 5th century CE when prosperity was at its peak. The Mauryan emperor Ashoka is known to have contributed to significant construction at this site.

Prior to its rediscovery in the 19th century, there was a silence of more than half a millennium at Kasia. Due to violent invasions, Kushinagar lost its vitality and eventually was neglected.

VISITS BY THE BUDDHA TO KUSHINAGAR

During the time of the Buddha, Kushinagar was the capital of the Mallas, and the scene of the Buddha's last breath before Mahaparinirvana. It was twenty-five yojanas from Rajagaha (DA.ii.609; acc. to Fa Hsien, p. 40, it was twenty-four yojanas from Kapilavatthu) and lay on the high road from Alaka to Rájagaha, the road taken by Bávarí's disciples (SN.v.1012). At that time it was a small city, "a branch-township with wattle-and-daub houses in the midst of the jungle," and Ananda was, at first, disappointed that the Buddha should have chosen it for his Parinibbana. But the Buddha, by preaching the Maha-Sudassana Sutta, pointed out to him that in ancient times it had been Kusavati, the royal city of Maha-Sudassana (D.ii.146).

It is said that the Buddha had three reasons for coming to Kusinárá to die:

1. Because it was the proper venue for the preaching of the Mahá-Sudassana Sutta;

2. Because Subhadda would visit him there and, after listening to his sermon, would develop meditation and

3. Because the brahman Doha would be there, after the Buddha's death, to solve the problem of the distribution of his relics (UdA.402f; DA.ii.573f6).

Between Kusinara and Pava, three gavutas (c. 15 km) away (DA.ii.573) - from where the Buddha came to Kusinára on his last journey from Rajagaha, stopping at various places - lay the stream of Kakuttha on the banks of which was the Ambavana; beyond that was the Hiraññavati river, and near the city, in a south-westerly direction, lay the Upavattana, the Sala-grove of the Mallas, which the Buddha made his last resting-place (UdA.238; DA.ii.572f).

After Mahaparinirvana the body was carried into the city by the southern gate and out of the city by the eastern gate; to the east of the city was Makutabandhana, the shrine of the Mallas, and there the body was cremated. For seven days those assembled at the ceremony held a festival in honour of the relics (D.ii.160f).

Kusinara became one of the four holy places declared by the Buddha (in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta (ii. 140) ) to be fit places of pilgrimage for the pious, the other three being Kapilavatthu (near Lumbini), Buddhagaya (Bodh Gaya), and Isipatana (Sarnath) (D.ii.140).

Mention is made of other visits paid to Kusinárá by the Buddha, prior to Mahaparinirvana. Thus, once he went there from Ápana and having spent some time at Kusinárá, proceeded to Átumá. The Mallas of Kusinárá were always great admirers of the Buddha, even though not all of them were his followers, and on the occasion of this visit they decided that any inhabitant of Kusinárá who failed to go and meet the Buddha and escort him to the city, would be fined five hundred. It was on this occasion that Roja the Mallan was converted and gave to the Buddha and the monks a supply of green vegetables and pastries (Vin.i.247f). During some of these visits the Buddha stayed in a wood called Baliharana, and there he preached two of the Kusinárá Suttas (A.i.274f; v.79f) and the "Kinti" Sutta (M.ii.238f). A third Kusinárá Sutta he preached while staying at Upavattana. (A.ii.79; for another discourse to some noisy monks at Upavattana, see Ud.iv.2).

According to a late tradition, one-eighth of the Buddha's relics were deposited in a cairn in Kusinárá and honoured by the Mallas (D.ii.167; Bu.xxviii.3).

In Hiouen Thsang's day there still existed towers and Sarighárámas erected to mark the spots connected with the Buddha's last days and obsequies at Kusinárá. According to his account (Beal. op. cit.li. lii. n) Kusinárá was nineteen yojanas from Vesáli. A copper plate belonging to the thúpa erected at the site of the Buddha's death has recently been discovered (CAGI.i.714).

DISCOVERY & IDENTIFICATION

The remains of the Parinirvana Stupa and Parinirvana Temple, when rediscovered, were covered in a 40 foot high mound of bricks surrounded by a dense thorny forest. After E. Buchanan, an officer of the East India Company, arrived in Kasia in the course of his survey-work, H. H. Wilson, in 1854, made the suggestion that ancient Kushinagar and Kasia were the same. Work resumed around 1861–1862 when Alexander Cunningham, the founder of the Archaeological Survey of India suggested the site to be that of Gautama Buddha's decease. A British officer named Mr. A. C. L. Carlleyle followed suit. Excavations began in the early twentieth century under J. Ph. Vogel. He conducted archaeological campaigns in 1904-5, 1905-6 and 1906-7, uncovering a wealth of Buddhist materials. Although no decisive evidence was found to prove Cunningham’s supposition that the site known at Māthā kūār kā Koṭ was Kushinārā, a series of monastic seals with the Sanskrit legend mahāparinirvāne cāturdiśo bhikṣusaṃghaḥ were taken to show that by the late Gupta period the site was understood to be that of the Buddha's final passing.

INITIATIVES BY THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION

1. In 2012 the "Buddha Relic Distribution Site" has been added as a new pilgrim spot on the Kushinagar Tourist Map. The site is located in Village Anirudhawa, at a walking distance from the main Mahaparinirvana Temple and 50 meters, right behind the Thai Temple.

2. The same year the"Buddha Ghat" was constructed on the banks of the river Hiranyavati,( Buddha was cremated on its bank ) right behind the Ramabhar Stupa .

3. The same year work also started on "The Buddha's Last Meal site" at Pavanagar,village Satheeau, Fazilnagar,about 20 km before Kushinagar while approaching from Bihar. This is the spot where as per the Mahaparinirvana Suttra, Chunda the goldsmith offered Sukar-maddava, eating which the lord became sick.

4. In 2012 work also started at the "Kakuttha River". Buddha took his last bath in this river. This is on the Main National Highway 28 at a bridge while approaching Kushinagar from Bihar after the Buddha's Last Meal site.

5. "Pampor Stupa". In April 2013 a new Buddhist site was excavated at Village Pampor. The excavation revealed the remains of an old Buddhist Stupa. Rahul Sanskrityan the legendary Buddhist scholar from India is said to have identified Pampor as the famed Pava Kingdom of ancient India. Some decorated bricks were discovered from the site which has been handed over to the local museum at Kushinagar.

IMPORTANT PLACES TO VISIT

- Mahaparinirvana Temple and Stupas

- Linh Son Temple

- Thai Temple

- Ramkola Satiansuiya Temple

- Govt. Buddha Museum Kushinagar- The significance of the holy place Kushinagar inspired several countries and organisations to put-up their religious and cultural edifices and Kushinagar gradually ushered into a spot of global attraction. The proposal was mooted by department of Culture, Govt. of U.P. to found a museum for preserving the archaeological wealth from the region and the present building came in to existence in 1992-93. From remnants of Mesolithic period to the collectibles of later period are displayed here. Museum is simply the perfect destination for the History and Art lovers. Museum reveals a lot more about the art, culture and historical facts of ancient India. The nucleous of the collection represents sculptures, terracottas, architectural remains, bronzes, clay seals, thankas and coins. Among sculptures museum has a good collection of Mathura and Gandhara school of art. A large number of artifacts are on display in four galleries. Besides Buddha artifacts, some Hindu and Jain antiquities are also on view. The stucco statue of Lord Buddha in the meditation posture is a superb specimen. It represents the zenith of Gandhara school of art. The beautifully decorated votive stupas and bricks are also on view. The museum is at the developing stage and efforts are being made to collect the artifacts from different places and institutions. In this series recently museum acquired a large no. of valuable antiquities from Rahul Sankrityayan Sansthan and District administratation Kushinagar.

- Surya Mandir Turkpatti, Kushinagar

WIKIPEDIA

Raghurajpur is a heritage crafts village in Puri district, Odisha, known for its master Pattachitra painters, an art form which dates back to 5 BC in the region and Gotipua dance troupes, the precursor to the Indian classical dance form of Odissi; it is also known as the birthplace of one of the finest Odissi exponents and Guru, Kelucharan Mohapatra. Apart from that, the village is also home to crafts like Tussar paintings, palm leaf engravings, stone and wood carvings, wooden, cowdung and papier mache toys, and masks.

In 2000, after a two-year research and documentation project by INTACH, starting 1998, the village was chosen to be developed as state's first heritage village and developed as a Crafts village, soon the village had an interpretation centre, commissioned artwork on the walls of the artists’ homes and a rest house.

It also has the distinction of the only place where the traditional decoration called Patas, used under the throne of Lord Jagannath and on the three chariots during the annual Rath Yatra festival, that takes place at pilgrimage town of Puri, some 14 km away, known for the Jagannath Temple.

OVERVIEW

Situated amidst groves of coconut, palm, mango and jack fruit, the main village has two streets with over 120 houses, most decorated with mural paintings, where the painters reside and practice their pattachitra craft, besides many other that practices throughout the village, including traditional masks, stone idols, papier mache, sculptures, wooden toys. The village also a series of temples dedicated not only to Bhuasuni, the local deity but also to various Hindu gods including, Radha Mohan, Gopinath, Raghunath, Laxminarayan and Gouranga.

Around, 2000 it was developed as a heritage village by INTACH, and soon became a major rural tourist destination of the state, drawing tourist, both domestic and foreign to the village. Villagers were also trained to provide heritage walks to the visitors by the organisation, and has since become a template for heritage tourism in the region.

Today it is also the venue of the annual Basant Utsav - Parampara Raghurajpur (Spring Festival), which was first organized in 1993 under the aegis of State Tourism Department and astern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, held in the month of February/March and an important tourist draw.

PATTACHITRA

The pattachitra paintings are made over a piece of cloth known as Patta or a dried palm leaf, which is first painted with a mixture of chalk and gum. Over the prepared surface, colorful and intricate pictures of various Gods, Goddesses, and mythological scenes with ornamentation of flowers, trees and animals are then painted. The paintings on Tussar saris, especially the Sambalpuri Saree depicting Mathura Vijay, Raslila and Ayodhya Vijay owe their origin to ‘Raghurajpur Pattachitra paintings’.

LOCATION

It is situated 14 km away from Hindu pilgrimage town of Puri, on the southern banks of river Bhargabi (Bhargavi). Visitors from Puri take the Bhubaneswar road, near Chandanpur, on NH 203, and upon reaching the Chandanpur Bazaar, they can take a right turn to reach Raghurajpur. The village is then around 1.5 km from Chandanpur.

WIKIPEDIA

The Special Region of Yogyakarta (Indonesian: Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, often pronounced /ˌjɒɡjəˈkɑːrtə/; Javanese: ꦣꦲꦺꦫꦃꦲꦶꦯ꧀ꦡꦶꦩꦺꦮꦔꦪꦺꦴꦒꦾꦏꦂꦠ) is a provincial-level autonomous region of Indonesia in the southern Java. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south, as well as sharing all the land borders to the province of Central Java. Ruled by the Yogyakarta Sultanate, the region is the only officially recognised monarchy within the government of Indonesia. The city of Yogyakarta is the capital and the economic center of the region.

The Yogyakarta Sultanate has been established since 1755 and provided an unwavering support for Indonesia's independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945–1949). As a first-level division in Indonesia, Yogyakarta is governed by Sultan Hamengkubuwono as the governor and Prince Paku Alam as the vice governor. With a land area of 3,185.8 km², it is the second-smallest province of Indonesia after Jakarta.

HISTORY

In Javanese it is pronounced [joɡjaˈkartɔ], and named after the city of Ayodhya in Javanese-Hindu mythology. The Dutch name of the Special Region is Djokjakarta.

The Sultanate has existed in various forms through prehistory, and survived through the rule of the Dutch and the 1942 invasion of the Dutch East Indies by the Japanese Empire. In August 1945 Indonesia's first president, Sukarno proclaimed the independence of the Indonesian Republic, and by September of that year, Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and duke Sri Paku Alam VIII had sent letters to Sukarno expressing their support for the newly-born nation of Indonesia, in which they acknowledged the Yogyakarta Sultanate as part of the Indonesian Republic. The Sunanate of Surakarta did the same, and both of the Javanese kingdoms were awarded special status as special regions within Indonesian Republic. However, due to a leftist anti-royalist uprising in Surakarta, the Sunanate of Surakarta lost its special administrative status in 1946 and was absorbed into the province of Central Java.

Yogyakarta's overwhelming support and the Sultan's patriotism were essential in the Indonesian struggle for independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949). The city of Yogyakarta became the capital of the Indonesian Republic from January 1946 to December 1948 after the fall of Jakarta to the Dutch. Later, the Dutch also invaded Yogyakarta causing the Indonesian Republic's capital to be transferred again to Bukittinggi in West Sumatra on 19 December 1948. In return for Yogyakarta's support, the declaration of Special Authority over Yogyakarta was granted in full in 1950 and Yogyakarta was given the status as a Special Administrative Region, making Yogyakarta the only region headed by a monarchy in Indonesia.

The Special Region was struck by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake on 27 May 2006, killing 5,782 people, injuring approximately 36,000 and leaving 600,000 people homeless. The region of Bantul suffered the most damage and deaths.

GEOGRAPHY

The Special Region is located near the southern coast of Java, surrounded on three sides by the province of Central Java, and with the Indian Ocean on the south side. The population at the 2010 Census was 3,452,390 people, but according to the latest official estimate (January 2014) has risen to 3,594,290. It has an area of 3,133.15 km2, making it the second-smallest area of the provinces in Indonesia, after the Jakarta Capital Region. Along with surrounding areas in Central Java, it has some of the highest population densities of Java.

Mount Merapi is located to the immediate north of the city of Yogyakarta and Sleman Regency. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. It last erupted in October–November 2010, killing and injuring many people and temporarily displacing approximately 100,000 residents.

GEO-HERITAGE SITES

Indonesia has numbers of geo-heritage sites in Yogyakarta Special Region. It has been declared by Geological Agency of the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry. The sites consists of 9 sites: Eosen limestone in Gamping (Sleman regency), pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman), pre-historic volcanic sediment in Candi Ijo, Prambanan (Sleman), sand dunes in Parangtritis Beach (Bantul regency), Kiskendo cave and former manganese mining site in Kleripan (Kulonprogo regency), the prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency), Wediombo-Siung beaches (Gunungkidul) and Bioturbasi site in Kalingalang (Gunungkidul). The most unusual one is pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman) which is a big, rough black rock lays on the bank of narrow Dengkeng River. The prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency) has already been developed as a tourist destination.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

Located within the Special Region of Yogyakarta, the city of Yogyakarta is known as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry and puppet shows. It is also one of Indonesia's most renowned centers of higher education. At the city's center is the Sultan's palace called the kraton. While the city sprawls in all directions from the kraton, the core of the modern city is to the north.

TRANSPORT

Yogyakarta is served by Adisucipto International Airport and New Yogyakarta International Airport which will be open for minimum operations at the end of April 2019. There are two train stations: Lempuyangan Station and Yogyakarta railway station.

HISTORICAL POPULATION

Year - Pop.±%

1971 - 2,489,360

1980 - 2,750,813+10.5%

1990 - 2,913,054+5.9%

1995 - 2,916,779+0.1%

2000 - 3,122,268+7.0%

2010 - 3,452,390+10.6%

2014 - 3,594,290+4.1%

Source: Badan Pusat Statistik 2010

Yogyakarta is considered one of the major hubs that links the west-east main railway route in Java island. Tugu railway station is the main train station located in center, and Lempuyangan train station is the second train station in the city. The two stations have own schedule from and to other cities in Java island. To the south, in the Bantul region, is the Giwangan bus station, the largest bus station in Indonesia. The centre of metropolitan Yogyakarta is surrounded by a ring road.

Since 2008, the Special Region of Yogyakarta launched bus rapid transit system, the Trans Jogja, which connects many places in and around Yogyakarta city, including the airport and Prambanan temple. Today, Trans Jogja has reached other points in the south-side of the city

EDUCATION

Yogyakarta is home to more than 100 institutions of higher education in Indonesia, the highest number of higher education institutions of any province in Indonesia. Hence, Yogyakarta earned its nickname "Kota Pelajar" (The City of Students).

Yogyakarta is the home of the first established state university in Indonesia, the Gadjah Mada University.

The Special Region is also the home of the first-established private university in Indonesia, the Islamic University of Indonesia, which was founded in 1945. The Indonesia Institute of Arts, the first-established university in fine arts, is also in the region. Other large universities include State Islamic University of Yogyakarta, University of Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa in Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta State University, Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta and University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta.

WIKIPEDIA

Ramayana outside India: mural in Bangkok, Thailand. Own photograph.

Gujarati community all over the world celebrates the New Year after Diwali to mark the beginning of a new fiscal year.

Diwali (also spelled Devali in certain regions) or Deepavali,[note 1] popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons.For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BCE.

Diwali is an official holiday in India,Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, and Fiji.

The name "Diwali" or "Divali" is a contraction of "Deepavali" (Sanskrit: दीपावली Dīpāvalī), which translates into "row of lamps".Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (dīpa in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil.These lamps are kept on during the night and one's house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome.Firecrackers are burst in order to drive away evil spirits.During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, from his 14-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas and by bursting firecrackers.

The festival starts with Dhanteras on which most Indian business communities begin their financial year. The second day of the festival, Naraka Chaturdasi, marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. Amavasya, the third day of Diwali, marks the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth in her most benevolent mood, fulfilling the wishes of her devotees. Amavasya also tells the story of Lord Vishnu, who in his dwarf incarnation vanquished the Bali, and banished him to Patala. It is on the fourth day of Diwali, Kartika Shudda Padyami, that Bali went to patala and took the reins of his new kingdom in there. The fifth day is referred to as Yama Dvitiya (also called Bhai Dooj), and on this day sisters invite their brothers to their homes.

It begins in late Ashvin (between September and October) and ends in early Kartika (between October and November). The days in Ashvin are in the Krishna Paksha ("dark fortnight") of that month, while the days in Kartik are in its Shukla Paksha ("bright fortnight"). The first day is Dhan Teras. The last day is Yama Dvitiya, which signifies the second day of the light half of Kartika. Each day of Diwali marks one celebration of the six principal stories associated with the festival.

Other events associated with Diwali include:

Return of Pandavas after 12 years of Vanvas and one year of agyatavas (living incognito).

Diwali being festival of lights, across India people celebrate it via symbolic diyas or kandils (colourful paper lanterns) as an integral part of Diwali decorations.

Rangoli, decorations made from coloured powder, is popular during Diwali.

Diwali celebrations are spread over five days, from Dhanteras to Bhaiduj. In some places like Maharashtra it starts with Vasu Baras. All the days except Diwali are named according to their designation in the Hindu calendar. The days are:

Diwali greetings in some languages

Deepavali Nalvazhthukal (தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்) :Greeting in Tamil

Subha Dipawali ki mangalmaya subha kaamanaa (शुभ दिपावली की मंगलमय शुभ-कामना): Greeting in Nepali

Diwali ki Shubhkamnayein (दिवाली की शुभकामनाएं): Greeting in Hindi

Diwali Mubarak (દીવાળી મુબારક): Greeting in Gujarati

Tuhanu diwali diyan boht boht vadhaiyan (ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਦਿਵਾਲੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ ਹੋਣ ): Greeting in Punjabi

Deepavali Aashamsagal ( ദീപാവലി ആശംസകള്‍ ): Greeting in Malayalam.

Deepavali Habbada Shubhashayagalu (ದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಷಯಗಳು): Greeting in Kannada

Deepavali Shubhakankshalu (దీపావళి శుభాకా౦క్షలు) :Greeting in Telugu

Shubh Diwali/ Diwalichya hardik Shubhechha (शुभ दिवाली /दिवाळीच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा ): Greeting in Marathi

Subho Diwalir Preeti O Subeccha (শুভ দীপাবলীর প্রীতি ও শুভেচ্ছা) :Greeting in Bengali

"Happy Diwali!" :Greeting in English language

Diwali mubarak ho:Greeting in Hindi (Bundelkhand)

Deepavalira Anek Shubhechha (ଦୀପାବଳିର ଅନେକ ଶୁଭେଛା) :Greeting in Oriya

Diwali mubarak ho aap sabko:Greeting in Hindi (Bhind)

In Gujarat the Diwali celebrations take on a number of distinct characteristics.

Diwali occurs in the second (dark) lunar fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Ashvin (Gujarati: "Aaso") and the first (bright) fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Kartika (Guj: "Kartik"). Aaso is the last month of the Gujarati calendar, and Kartik the first.

Celebrations start earlier in Gujarat than in the rest of India, commencing on Aygaras, the 11th day of the Krishna Paksha of Aaso. On the 12th day is Vagh Baras, the festival of the cow and the calf. On the 13th day is Dhanteras, the days Diwali starts in the rest of India. The 14th (elsewhere known as Naraka Chaturdashi in South India and Choti Diwali in the North) is celebrated as Kali Choudas. The 15th (new moon day) is Lakshmi Puja, celebrated throughout India. The next day, the first day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik, is Bestu Varsh, New Year's Day, start of the Gujarati calendar. The 2nd day of Kartik is Bhai Bij, the day Diwali ends.

A further celebration takes place on the 5th day of Kartik, Labh Pancham.

Gujarat is also the location of the Jain festival of Deva Devali, two weeks later, around the full moon day of Kartik. This takes place at the sacred mountains of Girnar and Palitana, in south Gujarat.

The obverse side shows the Dubar scene (reinstatement of Rama and his queen Sita as ruler of the kingdom of Ayodhya). Dubar simply means 'platform' as Rama and Sita are seated on a raised platform and the imagery is taken directly from the Hindu saga, the Ramayama. Rama's three half-brothers: Lakshman, Baratha and Satrughra are included in the scene and underneath the platform is a representation of the worrier Monkey God, Hanuman, who also played a major role in the Ramayama through helping Rama recover his kingdom..

The reverse side shows Rama with Lakshman, his half-brother side by side and holding their bow, arrows and a trident. There is a Devanagari inscription around the edge but no symbolic year.

As with all Indian temple tokens, they had a purely religious function and did not circulate as money or currency.

.

Size: 1 1/16" diameter (27mm).

Material(s): Silver-plated brass.

Weight: 10.84g

Die alignment: ↑↑

Edge: plain.

Approximate age: 1880's to 1900's.

UDL WDG 3A with Mankapur - Ayodhya Passenger at Nawabganj gonda station

Raghurajpur is a heritage crafts village in Puri district, Odisha, known for its master Pattachitra painters, an art form which dates back to 5 BC in the region and Gotipua dance troupes, the precursor to the Indian classical dance form of Odissi; it is also known as the birthplace of one of the finest Odissi exponents and Guru, Kelucharan Mohapatra. Apart from that, the village is also home to crafts like Tussar paintings, palm leaf engravings, stone and wood carvings, wooden, cowdung and papier mache toys, and masks.

In 2000, after a two-year research and documentation project by INTACH, starting 1998, the village was chosen to be developed as state's first heritage village and developed as a Crafts village, soon the village had an interpretation centre, commissioned artwork on the walls of the artists’ homes and a rest house.

It also has the distinction of the only place where the traditional decoration called Patas, used under the throne of Lord Jagannath and on the three chariots during the annual Rath Yatra festival, that takes place at pilgrimage town of Puri, some 14 km away, known for the Jagannath Temple.

OVERVIEW

Situated amidst groves of coconut, palm, mango and jack fruit, the main village has two streets with over 120 houses, most decorated with mural paintings, where the painters reside and practice their pattachitra craft, besides many other that practices throughout the village, including traditional masks, stone idols, papier mache, sculptures, wooden toys. The village also a series of temples dedicated not only to Bhuasuni, the local deity but also to various Hindu gods including, Radha Mohan, Gopinath, Raghunath, Laxminarayan and Gouranga.

Around, 2000 it was developed as a heritage village by INTACH, and soon became a major rural tourist destination of the state, drawing tourist, both domestic and foreign to the village. Villagers were also trained to provide heritage walks to the visitors by the organisation, and has since become a template for heritage tourism in the region.

Today it is also the venue of the annual Basant Utsav - Parampara Raghurajpur (Spring Festival), which was first organized in 1993 under the aegis of State Tourism Department and astern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, held in the month of February/March and an important tourist draw.

PATTACHITRA

The pattachitra paintings are made over a piece of cloth known as Patta or a dried palm leaf, which is first painted with a mixture of chalk and gum. Over the prepared surface, colorful and intricate pictures of various Gods, Goddesses, and mythological scenes with ornamentation of flowers, trees and animals are then painted. The paintings on Tussar saris, especially the Sambalpuri Saree depicting Mathura Vijay, Raslila and Ayodhya Vijay owe their origin to ‘Raghurajpur Pattachitra paintings’.

LOCATION

It is situated 14 km away from Hindu pilgrimage town of Puri, on the southern banks of river Bhargabi (Bhargavi). Visitors from Puri take the Bhubaneswar road, near Chandanpur, on NH 203, and upon reaching the Chandanpur Bazaar, they can take a right turn to reach Raghurajpur. The village is then around 1.5 km from Chandanpur.

WIKIPEDIA

Rishabha (Sanskrit Ṛṣabha), also known as Adinatha (First lord), is a figure in Jain theology who is stated to be the first Tirthankara of the present cosmic age (avasarpini).

ETYMOLOGY

Rishabha is known by many names like Ādinātha (the first world teacher), Adish Jin (first conqueror), Adi Purush (first perfect man), Ikshvaku, Brahma (creator), Vidhata and Srista.

FOUNDER OF JAINISM

Jains believe that twenty-four tīrthaṅkaras or "ford-makers", teachers who establish the Jain teachings grace every half cycle of cosmic age indefinitely. Jains trace their history through a succession of these tīrthaṅkaras. Rishabhadev was the founder of Jainism in the present half-cycle of time. He was born at the end of the third period, suṣama-duḥṣamā (read as Sukhma-dukhma) of present descending (avasarpinî) half cycle of cosmic age.

Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara was a historical figure, who lived in the 9th century BCE. Historians believe him to be the founder of Jainism. However, the current knowledge about the history of India is not enough to say whether Parshvanatha decisively founded the Jain religion or not. In this regard, Hermann Jacobi, a noted indologist, writes:

There is nothing to prove that Parshva was the founder of Jainism. Jain tradition is unanimous in making Rishabha, the first Tirthankara, as its founder and there may be something historical in the tradition which makes him the first Tirthankara.

— Hermann Jacobi

LEGENDS

Rishabha was born to King Nabhi and Queen Marudevī at Ayodhya before human civilization was much developed and people were primitive and illiterate. He taught them tending of animals, cooking, poetry, painting, sculpture and similar arts. He introduced karma-bhumi (the age of action) by teaching six main professions to the householders for livelihood. They were Asi (swordsmanship for protection), Masi (writing skills), Krishi (agriculture) Vidya (knowledge), Vanijya (trade and commerce) and Shilp (crafts). The institution of marriage came into existence, during his time. He introduced a total of seventy-two sciences which includes arithmetic, the plastic and visual arts, the art of lovemaking, singing and dancing.

KINGDOM

His kingdom was kind and gentle and he is credited with transforming a tribal society into an orderly one. Like any Tirthankara and other legendary figures of Indian history (who were great warriors), he too was a great warrior with great strength and body. However, he never needed to show his warrior aspect. Rishabha is known for advocating non-violence. He was one of the greatest initiators of human progress.

Rishabha had two wives. One of them was Sunanda and the other is given different names, Yasaswati, Nanda and Sumangala, in different texts. He had one hundred sons and two daughters. Among these, Sunanda was the mother of Bahubali and Sundari whereas Sumangala was the mother of Bharata and Brahmi. He taught his daughters Brahmi and Sundari, the Brahmi-lipi (ancient Brahmi script) and the 'science of numbers' (Ank-Vidya) respectively.

RENUNCIATION

Some of the scriptures mention that a dancer named Nilanjana was sent by Indra for the purpose of awakening Rishabha to renounce the world. Indra staged the dancer's sudden death in order to awaken Rishabha and make him preach Jainism. The sudden fatal death of Nilanjana, reminded Rishabha of the world's transitory nature and he developed a desire for renunciation.

ASCETIC LIFE

Rishabha gave his kingdom to his 100 sons, of whom Bharata got the city of Vinita (Ayodhya) and Bahubali got the city of Podanapur (Taxila). He then became an ascetic. His aim was to cause less harm to others and keep no possessions.

AKSHAYA TRITIYA

Akshaya Tritya is considered holy and supremely auspicious by Jains. It is believed that Rishabha took his first ahara (alms) as an ascetic on this day. He was the first monk of the present age, and people didn't knew how to offer food (ahara) to Jain monks. King Shreyansa of Hastinapur town recollected his past life experiences and offered him sugarcane juice (ikshu-rasa). Jains attach great importance to this day as, it was only after 11 months and 13 days that Rishabha was offered food. It is celebrated on the third day of bright fortnight of the month Vaishaka. He got the name Ikshvaku from the word Ikhsu (sugarcane) and his dynasty became Ikshvaku dynasty.

OMNISCIENCE

He spent 1000 years performing austerities and then attained omniscience (Kevala Jnana).

MOKSHA

Rishabha was the first human to attain enlightenment in the present cosmic age. He traveled far and wide and preached Jainism. While traveling, he came across a mountain named Ashtapada, which is famously known as mount Kailash. Gods created a divine preaching hall known as samavasarana at this mountain for Rishabha. He attained liberation on Mount Kailasa at the age of 84 lakh purva (592.704 x 1018 years). His preachings were recorded in fourteen scriptures known as Purva.

PANCH KALYANAKA

The five kalyanakas are the five major events associated with a Tirthankara: Chyavana Kalyanaka on Jeth Vad 4, Janma Kalyanaka on Fagan Vad 8, Diksha Kalyanaka on Fagan Vad 8,Keval Gyan Kalyanaka on Maha Vad 11, and Moksha Kalyanaka on Posh Vad 13.

IN LITERATURE

There is mention of Rishabha in Hindu scriptures, like Bhagavata Puran. Rishabha also finds mention in Buddhist literature. It speaks of several tirthankara which includes Rishabha along with Padmaprabha, Chandraprabha, Pushpadanta, Vimalnatha, Dharmanatha and Neminatha. A Buddhist scripture named Dharmottarapradipa mentions Rishabha as an Apta (Tirthankara).

The Ādi purāṇa, a 10th-century Kannada language text by the poet Adikavi Pampa (fl. 941 CE), written in Champu style, a mix of prose and verse and spread over sixteen cantos, deals with the ten lives of Rishabha and his two sons. The life of Rishabha is also given in Mahapurana of Jinasena.

Bhaktamara Stotra by Acharya Manatunga is one of the most prevalent hymns of Rishabha.

ICONOGRAPHY

Rishabha is usually depicted in lotus position or kayotsarga, a standing posture of meditation. The distinguishing mark of Rishabha is his long locks of hair which fall on his shoulders and an image of a bull in his sculptures. His paintings usually depict various important events of his legend. Some of these include his marriage and Indra performing a ritual called abhisheka. He is sometimes shown as presenting a bowl to his followers and teaching them the art of pottery, painting a house, weaving textile. The visit of his mother Marudevi is also shown extensively in painting.

TEMPLES

Adinath Temple, Nahta Chowk, Bikaner, Rajasthan

Adishwar temple, Palitana, Gujarat

Adinath derasar, Vataman, Gujarat

Adinath temple, Khajuraho, MP

Adinath temple, Ayodhya, UP

Adinath temple, Chand-Khedi, Near Kota, Rajasthan

Adinath at Rishabhdeo or Rikhabdeo near Udaipur, Rajasthan

Adinath Bhagvan Temple, Mahrauli, Delhi

Bhagawan Adinath Temple, Hirehattihole, Karnataka

Adinath Bhagvan Temple, Ponnur Hill, Tamil Nadu

Adinath Temple in Ranila, Rohtak, Haryana

Adishwar Temple, Walkeshwar, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Adinath Jain Temple, Santhu Bagra (Marwar), Jalore, Rajasthan

Ajmer Jain Temple

WIKIPEDIA

The Special Region of Yogyakarta (Indonesian: Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, often pronounced /ˌjɒɡjəˈkɑːrtə/; Javanese: ꦣꦲꦺꦫꦃꦲꦶꦯ꧀ꦡꦶꦩꦺꦮꦔꦪꦺꦴꦒꦾꦏꦂꦠ) is a provincial-level autonomous region of Indonesia in the southern Java. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south, as well as sharing all the land borders to the province of Central Java. Ruled by the Yogyakarta Sultanate, the region is the only officially recognised monarchy within the government of Indonesia. The city of Yogyakarta is the capital and the economic center of the region.

The Yogyakarta Sultanate has been established since 1755 and provided an unwavering support for Indonesia's independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945–1949). As a first-level division in Indonesia, Yogyakarta is governed by Sultan Hamengkubuwono as the governor and Prince Paku Alam as the vice governor. With a land area of 3,185.8 km², it is the second-smallest province of Indonesia after Jakarta.

HISTORY

In Javanese it is pronounced [joɡjaˈkartɔ], and named after the city of Ayodhya in Javanese-Hindu mythology. The Dutch name of the Special Region is Djokjakarta.

The Sultanate has existed in various forms through prehistory, and survived through the rule of the Dutch and the 1942 invasion of the Dutch East Indies by the Japanese Empire. In August 1945 Indonesia's first president, Sukarno proclaimed the independence of the Indonesian Republic, and by September of that year, Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and duke Sri Paku Alam VIII had sent letters to Sukarno expressing their support for the newly-born nation of Indonesia, in which they acknowledged the Yogyakarta Sultanate as part of the Indonesian Republic. The Sunanate of Surakarta did the same, and both of the Javanese kingdoms were awarded special status as special regions within Indonesian Republic. However, due to a leftist anti-royalist uprising in Surakarta, the Sunanate of Surakarta lost its special administrative status in 1946 and was absorbed into the province of Central Java.

Yogyakarta's overwhelming support and the Sultan's patriotism were essential in the Indonesian struggle for independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949). The city of Yogyakarta became the capital of the Indonesian Republic from January 1946 to December 1948 after the fall of Jakarta to the Dutch. Later, the Dutch also invaded Yogyakarta causing the Indonesian Republic's capital to be transferred again to Bukittinggi in West Sumatra on 19 December 1948. In return for Yogyakarta's support, the declaration of Special Authority over Yogyakarta was granted in full in 1950 and Yogyakarta was given the status as a Special Administrative Region, making Yogyakarta the only region headed by a monarchy in Indonesia.

The Special Region was struck by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake on 27 May 2006, killing 5,782 people, injuring approximately 36,000 and leaving 600,000 people homeless. The region of Bantul suffered the most damage and deaths.

GEOGRAPHY

The Special Region is located near the southern coast of Java, surrounded on three sides by the province of Central Java, and with the Indian Ocean on the south side. The population at the 2010 Census was 3,452,390 people, but according to the latest official estimate (January 2014) has risen to 3,594,290. It has an area of 3,133.15 km2, making it the second-smallest area of the provinces in Indonesia, after the Jakarta Capital Region. Along with surrounding areas in Central Java, it has some of the highest population densities of Java.

Mount Merapi is located to the immediate north of the city of Yogyakarta and Sleman Regency. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. It last erupted in October–November 2010, killing and injuring many people and temporarily displacing approximately 100,000 residents.

GEO-HERITAGE SITES

Indonesia has numbers of geo-heritage sites in Yogyakarta Special Region. It has been declared by Geological Agency of the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry. The sites consists of 9 sites: Eosen limestone in Gamping (Sleman regency), pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman), pre-historic volcanic sediment in Candi Ijo, Prambanan (Sleman), sand dunes in Parangtritis Beach (Bantul regency), Kiskendo cave and former manganese mining site in Kleripan (Kulonprogo regency), the prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency), Wediombo-Siung beaches (Gunungkidul) and Bioturbasi site in Kalingalang (Gunungkidul). The most unusual one is pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman) which is a big, rough black rock lays on the bank of narrow Dengkeng River. The prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency) has already been developed as a tourist destination.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

Located within the Special Region of Yogyakarta, the city of Yogyakarta is known as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry and puppet shows. It is also one of Indonesia's most renowned centers of higher education. At the city's center is the Sultan's palace called the kraton. While the city sprawls in all directions from the kraton, the core of the modern city is to the north.

TRANSPORT

Yogyakarta is served by Adisucipto International Airport and New Yogyakarta International Airport which will be open for minimum operations at the end of April 2019. There are two train stations: Lempuyangan Station and Yogyakarta railway station.

HISTORICAL POPULATION

Year - Pop.±%

1971 - 2,489,360

1980 - 2,750,813+10.5%

1990 - 2,913,054+5.9%

1995 - 2,916,779+0.1%

2000 - 3,122,268+7.0%

2010 - 3,452,390+10.6%

2014 - 3,594,290+4.1%

Source: Badan Pusat Statistik 2010

Yogyakarta is considered one of the major hubs that links the west-east main railway route in Java island. Tugu railway station is the main train station located in center, and Lempuyangan train station is the second train station in the city. The two stations have own schedule from and to other cities in Java island. To the south, in the Bantul region, is the Giwangan bus station, the largest bus station in Indonesia. The centre of metropolitan Yogyakarta is surrounded by a ring road.

Since 2008, the Special Region of Yogyakarta launched bus rapid transit system, the Trans Jogja, which connects many places in and around Yogyakarta city, including the airport and Prambanan temple. Today, Trans Jogja has reached other points in the south-side of the city

EDUCATION

Yogyakarta is home to more than 100 institutions of higher education in Indonesia, the highest number of higher education institutions of any province in Indonesia. Hence, Yogyakarta earned its nickname "Kota Pelajar" (The City of Students).

Yogyakarta is the home of the first established state university in Indonesia, the Gadjah Mada University.

The Special Region is also the home of the first-established private university in Indonesia, the Islamic University of Indonesia, which was founded in 1945. The Indonesia Institute of Arts, the first-established university in fine arts, is also in the region. Other large universities include State Islamic University of Yogyakarta, University of Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa in Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta State University, Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta and University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta.

WIKIPEDIA

Ramatanka Hindu temple tokens have been issued for devotional purposes since the beginning of the 19th century through to India’s independence in the 1940’s. Thereafter, their role was superseded by other forms of devotional tokens celebrating Diwali and other Hindu festivals. The earlier ramatankas are characterised by their dumpy fabric, being thicker and of smaller diameter than later issues. They were generally struck in high grade silver but after the mid-19th century became progressively debased and so by the turn of the 20th century they were being stuck in silvered brass.

Their obverse generally shows the Dubar scene as described in the Ramayama, during which Rama and Sita are seated in State on a dubar (platform) attended by Lakshman, Hamuman and sometimes other attendants. The Ramayama is a Hindu epic telling of Rama’s exile, his trials and tribulations during exile, his efforts to regain his kingdom with the help of the Hanuman the monkey god and his eventual triumphant return to his kingdom at Ayodhya with Sita at his side.

The reverse side shows Rama and his half-brother Lakshman holding their bow and arrows.

References:

www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/3404685632/in/set-7215... (General information about the ramatanka).

www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/3403875261/in/set-7215... (Some general information about the Ramayana, a Hindu epic about Rama).

Indian Tokens by Michael Mitchiner. Published by Hawkins Publications 1998. ISBN 0-904173-24-0.

Material: Silver.

Size:

Weight: 10.56g

Edge: Plain.

Mint: Calcutta (?).

Religion: Hindu.

Mitchiner reference: 324 (details of the Dubar scene vary).

Photo reproduced with kind permission of the seller (misralex).

Sold on eBay 14th August 2014.

Item number 311041631585.

Start price £6.99 and sold for £26.00 + p&p (8 bids from 3 bidders).

The Special Region of Yogyakarta (Indonesian: Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, often pronounced /ˌjɒɡjəˈkɑːrtə/; Javanese: ꦣꦲꦺꦫꦃꦲꦶꦯ꧀ꦡꦶꦩꦺꦮꦔꦪꦺꦴꦒꦾꦏꦂꦠ) is a provincial-level autonomous region of Indonesia in the southern Java. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south, as well as sharing all the land borders to the province of Central Java. Ruled by the Yogyakarta Sultanate, the region is the only officially recognised monarchy within the government of Indonesia. The city of Yogyakarta is the capital and the economic center of the region.

The Yogyakarta Sultanate has been established since 1755 and provided an unwavering support for Indonesia's independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945–1949). As a first-level division in Indonesia, Yogyakarta is governed by Sultan Hamengkubuwono as the governor and Prince Paku Alam as the vice governor. With a land area of 3,185.8 km², it is the second-smallest province of Indonesia after Jakarta.

HISTORY

In Javanese it is pronounced [joɡjaˈkartɔ], and named after the city of Ayodhya in Javanese-Hindu mythology. The Dutch name of the Special Region is Djokjakarta.

The Sultanate has existed in various forms through prehistory, and survived through the rule of the Dutch and the 1942 invasion of the Dutch East Indies by the Japanese Empire. In August 1945 Indonesia's first president, Sukarno proclaimed the independence of the Indonesian Republic, and by September of that year, Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and duke Sri Paku Alam VIII had sent letters to Sukarno expressing their support for the newly-born nation of Indonesia, in which they acknowledged the Yogyakarta Sultanate as part of the Indonesian Republic. The Sunanate of Surakarta did the same, and both of the Javanese kingdoms were awarded special status as special regions within Indonesian Republic. However, due to a leftist anti-royalist uprising in Surakarta, the Sunanate of Surakarta lost its special administrative status in 1946 and was absorbed into the province of Central Java.

Yogyakarta's overwhelming support and the Sultan's patriotism were essential in the Indonesian struggle for independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949). The city of Yogyakarta became the capital of the Indonesian Republic from January 1946 to December 1948 after the fall of Jakarta to the Dutch. Later, the Dutch also invaded Yogyakarta causing the Indonesian Republic's capital to be transferred again to Bukittinggi in West Sumatra on 19 December 1948. In return for Yogyakarta's support, the declaration of Special Authority over Yogyakarta was granted in full in 1950 and Yogyakarta was given the status as a Special Administrative Region, making Yogyakarta the only region headed by a monarchy in Indonesia.

The Special Region was struck by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake on 27 May 2006, killing 5,782 people, injuring approximately 36,000 and leaving 600,000 people homeless. The region of Bantul suffered the most damage and deaths.

GEOGRAPHY

The Special Region is located near the southern coast of Java, surrounded on three sides by the province of Central Java, and with the Indian Ocean on the south side. The population at the 2010 Census was 3,452,390 people, but according to the latest official estimate (January 2014) has risen to 3,594,290. It has an area of 3,133.15 km2, making it the second-smallest area of the provinces in Indonesia, after the Jakarta Capital Region. Along with surrounding areas in Central Java, it has some of the highest population densities of Java.

Mount Merapi is located to the immediate north of the city of Yogyakarta and Sleman Regency. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. It last erupted in October–November 2010, killing and injuring many people and temporarily displacing approximately 100,000 residents.

GEO-HERITAGE SITES

Indonesia has numbers of geo-heritage sites in Yogyakarta Special Region. It has been declared by Geological Agency of the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry. The sites consists of 9 sites: Eosen limestone in Gamping (Sleman regency), pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman), pre-historic volcanic sediment in Candi Ijo, Prambanan (Sleman), sand dunes in Parangtritis Beach (Bantul regency), Kiskendo cave and former manganese mining site in Kleripan (Kulonprogo regency), the prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency), Wediombo-Siung beaches (Gunungkidul) and Bioturbasi site in Kalingalang (Gunungkidul). The most unusual one is pillow lava in Berbah (Sleman) which is a big, rough black rock lays on the bank of narrow Dengkeng River. The prehistoric volcano in Nglanggeran (Gunungkidul regency) has already been developed as a tourist destination.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

Located within the Special Region of Yogyakarta, the city of Yogyakarta is known as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry and puppet shows. It is also one of Indonesia's most renowned centers of higher education. At the city's center is the Sultan's palace called the kraton. While the city sprawls in all directions from the kraton, the core of the modern city is to the north.

TRANSPORT

Yogyakarta is served by Adisucipto International Airport and New Yogyakarta International Airport which will be open for minimum operations at the end of April 2019. There are two train stations: Lempuyangan Station and Yogyakarta railway station.

HISTORICAL POPULATION

Year - Pop.±%

1971 - 2,489,360

1980 - 2,750,813+10.5%

1990 - 2,913,054+5.9%

1995 - 2,916,779+0.1%

2000 - 3,122,268+7.0%

2010 - 3,452,390+10.6%

2014 - 3,594,290+4.1%

Source: Badan Pusat Statistik 2010

Yogyakarta is considered one of the major hubs that links the west-east main railway route in Java island. Tugu railway station is the main train station located in center, and Lempuyangan train station is the second train station in the city. The two stations have own schedule from and to other cities in Java island. To the south, in the Bantul region, is the Giwangan bus station, the largest bus station in Indonesia. The centre of metropolitan Yogyakarta is surrounded by a ring road.

Since 2008, the Special Region of Yogyakarta launched bus rapid transit system, the Trans Jogja, which connects many places in and around Yogyakarta city, including the airport and Prambanan temple. Today, Trans Jogja has reached other points in the south-side of the city

EDUCATION

Yogyakarta is home to more than 100 institutions of higher education in Indonesia, the highest number of higher education institutions of any province in Indonesia. Hence, Yogyakarta earned its nickname "Kota Pelajar" (The City of Students).

Yogyakarta is the home of the first established state university in Indonesia, the Gadjah Mada University.

The Special Region is also the home of the first-established private university in Indonesia, the Islamic University of Indonesia, which was founded in 1945. The Indonesia Institute of Arts, the first-established university in fine arts, is also in the region. Other large universities include State Islamic University of Yogyakarta, University of Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa in Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta State University, Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta and University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta.

WIKIPEDIA

Kushinagar is a town and a Nagar Panchayat in Gorakhpur district of Indian state of Uttar Pradesh located around NH-28, being 52 km east to Gorakhpur city. It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana after his death.

In ancient times, it was known as Kushavati (Jatakas). It finds mention in epic Ramayan as the city of Kusha the son of Ram, the famous king of Ayodhya. Kushinagar was a celebrated center of the Malla kingdom of ancient India. Later, it would be known as Kushinara, one of the most important four holy sites for Buddhists. At this location, near the Hiranyavati River, Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (or 'Final Nirvana') after falling ill from eating a meal of a species of mushroom.

Many of the ruined stupas and viharas here date back to 3rd century BCE - 5th century CE when prosperity was at its peak. The Mauryan emperor Ashoka is known to have contributed to significant construction at this site.

Prior to its rediscovery in the 19th century, there was a silence of more than half a millennium at Kasia. Due to violent invasions, Kushinagar lost its vitality and eventually was neglected.

At the time of the Buddha, Kushinagar was the capital of the Mallas, and the scene of the Buddha's last breath before Mahaparinirvana. At that time it was a small city, "a branch-township with wattle-and-daub houses in the midst of the jungle," and Ananda was, at first, disappointed that the Buddha should have chosen it for his Parinibbana. But the Buddha, by preaching the Maha-Sudassana Sutta, pointed out to him that in ancient times it had been Kusavati, the royal city of Maha-Sudassana.