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:

  1. That is one incredible place.

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

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  3. Brilliant! Your pictures never cease to amaze.

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

    http://www.myunfinishedlife.com/

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  5. Nice architecture!

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/

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  6. Interesting information with lovely pictures...

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

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  8. Very interesting cave. Those carvings are fascinating.

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  9. Lovely photos!
    Greetings from, RW & SK

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

    Happy Monday.

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  11. Wondrful memories. Nice pictures

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

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

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

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

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  16. 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.

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

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

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

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  20. 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.

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  21. Just awesome, I love this temple! Excellent photos!

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  22. Thel elephants and other carvings are amazing.

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  23. The carvings are so beautiful.

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  24. 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.

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

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

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  27. Good splash of red.

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  28. Anonymous11:45

    So old and beautiful!

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  29. Very interesting as always! :)

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

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  31. Amazing ancient sculptures.

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

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  33. Very beautiful! Love the touch of red.

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  34. A history book in stone!
    Wil, ABCW Team

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

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

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  37. Thank you. The kids are my sons.

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  38. Beautiful capture s !

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  39. Wonderful photos !

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  40. Anonymous01:29

    Have been here ....beautiful place :)

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

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