Tampara Lake Odisha #AToZChallenge

Odisha has many lakes. Tampara Lake is one of them.
Humuri Tampara Lake is situated in Ganjam district.
It is located just 0.5 kms from a point at NH16. We had crossed the sign-board scores of times, but had never travelled that distance of  0.5 kms...

Humuri Tampara Lake is located about 15 kms from Gopalpur-on-Sea beach. After a quick trip to Swosti Resort, Gopalpur, we were thrilled to see the sign-boards on our way back.

The approach to Tampara Lake is a narrow road with hedges on the side. And then we reached!

The Theme Park

The view from the mountain-top was awesome.
It was the maiden visit of the heiress to the site of her new resort-cum-theme park.

PHOTO PROMPT © Jan Wayne Fields

The property was worth millions of dollars.
The plan had been approved and the construction was to commence.

"What will happen to all these exotic trees?" she asked admiring the lush vegetation.
"They all will be cleared for our project, Madam," her manager replied.

Sahi Jatra - Street Procession #AToZChallenge

The holy town of Lord Jagannath, Puri is one of the four holy pilgrimage-places (Char Dhaam) .

Sahi Jatra is one of the oldest festivals that is believed to have started in 1230 AD in Puri. 

In Odia, ‘Sahi’ means a locality/street/particular area.

'Jatra' means procession/movement/journey.

Sahi Jatra is a colourful processional theatre. Sahi Jatra is a kind of folk drama or play. 

The grand procession is attractive.  

Heritage Walk on World Heritage Day at Bhubaneswar

'Rasa', Rasakora, Rasabara And Rasagola in Odia #AToZChallenge

The word ‘Rasa’ is related to Odisha's culture. 

'Rasa' in Odia
The Odia word 'Rasa' means 'juice', 'relish', 'flavour' or 'savour'. ‘Rasa’ refers to the 'taste of something'. 
In Odisha, 'Rasa' is intrinsically linked and present in so many spheres- food, literature, geographical places, conversations...

Many Odia epics like Rasabinod, Rasakallolla and Rasakalpalata etc have 'Rasa' in their names.

In the tradition and food culture of Odisha, the names of many dishes and sweetmeats like Rasabara, Rasakora, Rasakhai, Rasabali, Rasaphena, Rasmalai, Rasakadamba, Rasaladu, Rasagola etc. start with the word ‘Rasa’. These have been traditionally prepared from Chhena (cottage-cheese) and other ingredients from centuries.

Source

Pages 7007-7020 of the Volume VI of Purnachandra Odia Bhasakosha (Purnachandra Odia Dictionary) list words starting with ‘Rasa’. This dictionary, with 1,85,000 words and their meanings in four languages, is the result of three decades of dedicated work by Gopal Chandra Praharaj (1874-1945).

Qila - Forts Of Odisha #AToZChallenge

Odisha has some impressive forts with great historical significance that reflect glory and architectural grandeur. In Odia language, the word 'Gada' means 'Fort'.

Barabati Fort

Barabati Fort is located in Cuttack on the banks of the Mahanadi River. In the past, Cuttack was the capital of Odisha. Built by the Ganga dynasty in the 14th Century, Barabati Fort is the most famous fort of Odisha.  King Narnupa Kesri built a stone-like structure around the river to save it from the flood. King Anangbhima Dev III developed the Barabati fort. Many rulers rebuilt the fort.

Visitors can see the ruins of the fort. War marks are visible on its walls. The fort provides a great view of Cuttack city.
Barabati Cricket Stadium is near the fort. Also, the temple dedicated to Goddess Cuttack Chandi is close by.

Silver City Cuttack's Railway Station is designed like the Barabati Fort.

Want To Study or Work Abroad? #DefinitelyPTE

A foreign education or a well-paying job abroad is the wish of many. But, mere wishing just will not ensure wish fulfillment. Proper planning and implementation is needed to attain goals and to hit the bulls-eye.

Source

Studying or working abroad comes with its quota of challenges and hurdles and ifs and buts some of which are as follows:

Limited/Poor Knowledge & Experience

Most of us are not well-equipped with the requisite knowledge and experience regarding how to attain the goal i.e. to study or land up a job abroad. Which university to apply? Which English Test to take?...and so many questions arise. With our limited knowledge and experience, how can we ensure to attain our goal to move abroad to study or work?

Costly Trial And Error

Most of us go ahead thinking we will learn along the way by trial and error. Due to our low-awareness level, we face difficulties on our journey. This way may prove costly- precious time and effort is lost and we may have to learn serious and expensive lessons...

Reliable Support-System Required

A wealth of information and a robust support system needs to be in place with- passport validity, visa applications, country regulation details, university acceptances, accepted English tests and a lot more requirements.

Palanquin Carried Special Cover for Rasagola #AToZChallenge

 A Palanquin Carried Special Cover, "Rasagola in SriJagannathji's cuisine", was released on March 1st, 2018 at Puri Head Post Office by the Department of Posts. The special cover was released on a special day- Dola Purnima, the day before Holi when traditionally Holi colours and sweets are offered to the Gods.

 

This Special Cover features the traditional offering of Rasagola as bhog/prasad to Goddess Laxmi on behalf of Lord Jagannath during Niladri Bije at Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha. 
Rasagola has been a Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath from centuries and Rasagola is one of the more than hundred dishes that are offered as bhog/prasad.

Eco-Friendly!

Khushi was busy installing her latest creation in their lawn one evening.
"What has my scientist created?" Sita asked her daughter.

"This is a gadget that traps the impurity from the surrounding atmosphere. It converts the air-pollution to an environment-friendly mixture for soil!"

PHOTO PROMPT © Douglas M. MacIlroy

Odissi Dance #AToZChallenge

Odissi Dance is one of the six acknowledged classical dance forms of India. Odissi is the most famous dance form of Odisha, India. Art, architecture and literature of Odisha reveals the importance of the art of dance.

India has a rich dance tradition. The earliest surviving text on dance and drama, the Natyashastra of Bharata Muni, belonging to the 2nd century BC, classifies India's arts into four regional types, namely Avanti, Dakshinatya, Panchali and Odra-Magadhi. 

Nirmala Jhara, Odisha #AToZChallenge

Nirmal Jhar or Nirmaljhar or Nirmala Jhara is a scenic spot with a perennial spring and a temple-complex near Khallikote in Ganjam district of Odisha, India.