Sunday, August 25, 2013

Ganesha Gumpha, Udayagiri

Ganesha Gumpha is located on Udayagiri hill in Orissa. This cave is of the period Mahameghavahana Chedi dynasty during 1st century B.C.


The cave consists of two dwelling cells with low ceilings and a benched verandah in front. In the front of the cave on the approach path on either side there are two detached elephants, each holding branches of mango tree over a lotus.



This cave is known by this name as there is a carving of Lord Ganesha in the interior on the back of its left cell. This image has been dated to 9th  10th century A.D.



On the same back wall of the cave there is a and 5 line script of the 8th - 9th centurty A.D of a physician Bhimata. In the right cell there is a has a crude carving of a Tirthankara of the later period. 



On the outer wall of the cells next to entrance there are decorative carvings with lot to tell. One such carving can be seen here. From left to right the friezes depict woman serving a male, woman leading a man, fight between a man and a woman and the man carrying off the vanquished woman. 



Even the entry to the cell is beautifully carved.

43 comments:

SandyCarlson said...

That is one incredible place.

Linda said...

It is indeed beautifully carved. I love the elephants. Great photos!

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Brilliant! Your pictures never cease to amaze.

Jim said...

Marvellous.

My Unfinished Life said...

I have been to other namesake udaygiri caves..in MP near sanchi

http://www.myunfinishedlife.com/

R Niranjan Das said...

Nice architecture!

http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/

Vineeta Yashsavi said...

Interesting information with lovely pictures...

Unknown said...

a very fascinating building and fine details and interesting dialogue. Judyx

Unknown said...

Very interesting cave. Those carvings are fascinating.

Our photos said...

Lovely photos!
Greetings from, RW & SK

Sofia said...

That's the place I would love to visit...

Happy Monday.

Teamgsquare said...

Wondrful memories. Nice pictures

Jeevan said...

Interesting place! The photos well explore the details of carving.

Ruth Kelly said...

Thanks for sharing. India is probably one place I will never be able to see.

Panchali said...

Great pictorial blog, Rajesh. I have been there, so many memories gushed forth with the pics..:)
Lovely shots!

Noel Morata said...

Wow, that's a very old temple, I love the patina on the colors and faded glory.

Lowell said...

There are so many symbols, religious and otherwise, in these temples and carvings...one would need to know something of the religions and symbols to get the full impact.

Sylvia K said...

Fascinating captures and another lovely, interesting place! Thanks as always for sharing, Rajesh! Hope you have a great week!

Unknown said...

Another series of fine carvings!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Photo Cache said...

has this been restored before? it looks like its in good condition.

Fun60 said...

AS ornate as ever but quite different from others you have shown. To think those carvings have been there for a thousand years doesn't seem possible.

Leovi said...

Just awesome, I love this temple! Excellent photos!

Cynthia said...

Thel elephants and other carvings are amazing.

Carver said...

The carvings are so beautiful.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

It simply makes me gasp to think of those beautiful carvings done in the 1st Century BC. Incredible to think of the civilization that existed then. Beautiful post.

Al said...

What an unusual place. I bet it's nice and cool in the cave in the summer.

Michele {Malaysian Meanders} said...

What beautiful carvings. I especially like the elephants at the entrance.

Jim said...

Good splash of red.

Anonymous said...

So old and beautiful!

RIZALENIO said...

Very interesting as always! :)

Snap said...

When I saw the elephants I thought it must be Ganesh! Amazing place.

photowannabe said...

Amazing ancient sculptures.

Roger Owen Green said...

Like the insertion of the occasional human.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Halcyon said...

Very beautiful! Love the touch of red.

Reader Wil said...

A history book in stone!
Wil, ABCW Team

Barb said...

I'm always entranced by the stone carving Rajesh. Are those fine young men your sons?

Suzanne said...

This is amazing and so beautiful in its antiquity. Thanks for showing it to us.

Rajesh said...

Thank you. The kids are my sons.

Ananya said...

Beautiful capture s !

Maniparna said...

Wonderful photos !

Unknown said...

Beautiful :)

Anonymous said...

Have been here ....beautiful place :)

Unknown said...

Wow.... I wonder how people used to carve so beautifully with bare hand in those days!!!