THE SITE
For several years, has been searching a suitable plot of land in the area between Puri and Konarak, which is the ideal location for such a project. In the same area we may mention the famous Siva Belesvar temple, the beautiful Balighai beach, the Nandai river, and the Balukhanda reserve forest.
Konarak is the famous pilgrimage area dedicated to the Sun-god Surya and his wonderful chariot temple. The Vedas recommend that all those who desire to obtain good health should worship the Sun-god. Indeed the most famous yoga-kriya, considered to be the key to good health, is called Surya-namaskar, "offering one's respect and adoration to the Sun."
Geographically, Konarak is situated on the sandy coast of the Bay of Bengal, in the fertile and green Indian State of Orissa. This state has a very ancient history, being the Kalinga kingdom of vedic times, and a very interesting cultural, literary and religious history, which strongly needs to be revived.
This area is also known as the "Golden Triangle" of ancient vedic culture, contained between Bubhaneswar, Puri and Konarak. Within the range of 100 kms there are also nature parks and sites and historical and religious sites (Chilika, Nandakanan, Kanika, Balihari Chandi, Raghurajpur, Atri hot springs, Dhauligiri, Khandagiri, Udaigiri, Rajarani temple, Muktesvar temple, etc)
The most important cities of Orissa are Bhubaneswar (ancient holy city dedicated to the cult of Shiva, rich in many temples, with a national airport connected to Delhi, Calcutta and Bombay, and an international airport almost completed), Cuttack (ancient political capital of the kingdom, famous for its silver filigree and handicraft works, and still hosting cultural and historical festivals) and Puri (one of the four major holy places of Hindu tradition, called Purusottama-ksetra or Nilacal, "the blue hill"). Besides these main centers, there are hundreds of historical and spiritual sites all over Orissa, like Saksi Gopal, Balasore, Alarnath, etc.
Bhubaneswar is very dear to the shivaites because it is known as the place where Lord Siva and His consort Parvati came to spend Their honeymoon; on that occasion Siva narrated to His wife the Bhagavata Purana, one of the most important texts in Hindu tradition. Siva and Parvati were resting under a tree, and a parrot (Suka) was also listening to the wonderful stories. Later on, in another incarnation, that parrot became Sukadeva Gosvami and related the Bhagavata Purana to Maharaj Pariksit, who was about to die in one week's time due to a curse, and was anxious to know what to do and think about at the time of his death. Still today, the Bhagavata Purana is considered the best recitation for those who desire to increase their religious merits and study the nature of the Absolute.
In Bhubaneswar there are many important shivaite temples, among which Lingaraj, where one of the original jyotir lingams installed by Adi Sankaracarya is kept. Every year religious festivals are held, like Lingaraj Ratha Yatra (in Asoka Astami, around April, the day before Rama Navami).
Another famous temple, Kedar Gauri, hosts a sacred water pool, called Bindu Sarovara, where the water is considered to possess the power of healing all digestive diseases.
Puri is considered the residence of the Lord of the Universe Himself (Jagannatha) who lives here with is elder brother Baladeva, His sister Subhadra and His wife Laksmi (or Sri, the goddess of wealth and beauty, daughter of the ocean) as the king, friend and relative of all His devotees. The King of Puri -- Maharaja Divyasingh Deva, a very refined and spiritually elevated gentleman -- is considered the younger brother of Jagannath Himself. The name of the main temple is Sri Mandir (the house of Laksmi) and it is famous because traditionally in the temple huge quantities of food are offered to the Deity. This consecrated food is prepared in many recipes and varieties by the temple priests, and after being offered to Jagannath it is presented to Vimala devi ("the pure", another name for Durga devi); then it is called Mahaprasadam and distributed to the people.
The other important temples in Puri are the Lokanath temple, a very ancient Siva temple -- and the Gundica mandira, simbolizing the village of Vrindavana where young Krsna used to live with His friends the cowherd boys and girls, and where He is going on "holiday" every year in the famous Festival of the Chariots, lasting about 10 days.
Other famous temples are Tota Gopinatha, where the Deity accepted to take a sitting position so that His old pujari could dress Him more easily, the Gambhira -- residence of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu, and the samadhi and bhajana kutir of Haridasa Thakura -- a great vaisnava saint born in a Muslim family, and the more recent temples of Gaudiya Maths, founded by the followers of Sri Caitanya, the Sankaracarya Math and numerous other missions and spiritual centers.
Now the city of Puri, also a very famous touristic resort both for Indians and foreigners due to its nice climate and wonderful beach, is expanding its touristic infrastructures especially in the direction of Konarak. Although historically, culturally and spiritually famous, Konarak is only now starting to develop its touristic structures and therefore large areas are still untouched in their pristine beauty. The chances to visit historical, religious and architectural wonders are indeed many, but at the same time it is possible to enjoy a wonderful spiritual and natural holiday. |
