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Orissa,
the lush green state, girdled by the Bay of Bengal,
has seen some of the best fusion of traditional Indian
art in its many temples and monuments, and has been
able to preserve much of it, in an environment natural
to its wonder and attractions. It was in Orissa, that
Buddhism found some of its strongest exposure, and cult
following. However, it was Hindu art that dominated
the landscape, eventually, and resulted in the profusion
of temple traditions, that have endured till now.
Heavily
forested, and isolated, Orissa was once famous for its
majestic battle elephants. But life in Orissa revolved
around temples, and that the Oriyas lived lives free
of strife,
is evident from the fact that the state has few forts
or fortified palaces to its credit, indicative of centuries
of peace and harmony. Most
of the state's attractions are close to each other,
and convenient access is provided out of the state capital,
Bhubaneshwar. The capital itself is an intriguing amalgam
of the old and the new, an emerging modern Indian city,
that is steeped in the roots of the traditions of its
glorious past, without being overwhelmed by it. |
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