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The village Remunda is situated near a town called Bargarh around 30 KM away from Bargarh in India.
Remunda population around 15,000 people. Bargarh is a small town population around 100000 people.
At Bargarh a festivals occur every year around last week of December or first week of January
Named DHANU YATRA. |
SEE PHOTOS OF VILLAGE REMUNDA
Name Type: Native
Area / State: Orissa / India
Coordinates & Location type:
Area Type: Populated place /
Location Type: Populated Place
Latitude: 21,26667 / Longitude: 83,75
(Decimal degrees)
Latitude (DMS): 21° 16' 0 N / Longitude (DMS): 83° 45' 0 E
(Degrees, minutes and seconds)
ABOUT ORISSA:
surce: www.orissatourism.gov.in
LOCATION |
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17 o .49' and 22 o .34' North Latitude, and 81 o .29' and 87 o .29' East Longitude
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On the eastern coast of India between Kolkata (Calcutta) and Chennai (Madras)
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The State of Orissa is like a bridge between northern and southern halves of India, representing multifaceted synthesis.
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AREA |
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1,55,707 Sq. Kms (4.74% of India's land mass)
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There are 30 districts, which are administrative units of the Stae with Collector as the head.
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CAPITAL |
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PEOPLE |
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Population - 36.7 million (236 per Sq.Km)
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Inhabited by the local people known as Oriyas including 62 ethnic Tribes, a cross section of people from all parts of India also live in Orissa.
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Though rich in mineral wealth, Orissa is basically an agrarian state producing some of the finest varieties of rice. However the urban areas have grown into industrial townships including IT centres.
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LANGUAGE |
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Native language is Oriya, a regional language of India
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But the Travel Trade and Hotel Industry people fluently speak and understand English, Hindi and Bengali as well.
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CURRENCY |
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Indian Rupee (100 paise make one rupee)
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Notes of 1,2,5,10,20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees denomination
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Coins of 10, 20, 25, 50 paise and 1, 2, & 5 rupees denomination
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Travellers Cheques / Credit Cards are accepted by major hotels, tour operators and some shops.
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Foreign currency can be exchanged through Bank and Authorized Money Changers. Receipts for such exchange must be obtaind and retained.
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RELIGION |
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CLIMATE |
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SEASONS |
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There are three major seasons
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Every season has its own charm
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Orissa can be visited round the year
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However, the best season is from September to March
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CLOTHING |
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Light weight / cotton clothing for summer and rainy season.
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Warm garments for winter.
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Raincoat / Umbrella will be handy during rainy season.
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COASTLINE |
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Over 480 kms, dotted with virgin beaches like Chandipur, Chandrabhaga, Puri, Gopalpur, etc.
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FOREST AREA |
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58,135 Sq. Km. (37.3% of the total area of the State) including biosphere reserves like Simlipal, Bhitar Kanika, Tikarpara, Ushakothi (Badrama), Barbara, etc.
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ENTRY FORMALITIES |
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Foreign national require a valid passport & Indian visa.
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There is no separate permit required for visiting Orissa.
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However, prior permission is required for visiting a few tribal pockets by foreigners (which can be arranged through the Tour Operators)
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There is restriction for entry of Non-Hindus into some of the living shrines of the State.
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There is an entry fee to visit some monuments (Sun Temple at Konark, Rajarani Temple, Khandagiri-Udaygiri Caves at Bhubaneswar, Ratnagiri-Lalitgiri-Udaigiri Buddhist Complex and the Wildlife Sanctuaries including Nandan Kanan and also the Museums.
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Nandan Kanan & the State Museum remain closed on Mondays.
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ACCESSIBILITY |
By Air: Bhubaneswar is well connected with all major metros (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore) by flights operated by Indian Airlines and Air Sahara.
By Rail: Indian Railways provide a network of Fast & Super Fast Trains to all major cities of Orissa from different parts of India.
By Road: Orissa is crisscrossed by a network of excellent National / State Highways. Regular bus services are available from / to all major cities ofthe State and a number of cities like Kolkata, Raipur, Tata, Ranchi, Vizag etc. in the adjoining states.
Taxis and Auto Rickshaws are available at all important tourist centres and cities which can be hired on negotiated rates. In some of the vehicles there could be meters but the operators prefer negotiated rates. Auto Rickshaws are cheaper than taxis.
By Sea: There is no regular passenger ship but charter ships and cruise liners call at Paradeep Port, a major sea port of India |
ACCOMMODATION |
Orissa has every category of accommodation facilities ranging from Star Hotels of international standard to Budget Hotels and Lodges providing clean and comfortable accommodation at reasonable price. The Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC), a Government of Orissa Undertaking and Department of Tourism, Governemtn of Orissa operate a chain of tourist bungalows known as Panthanivas, Panthasals, Panthika, yatrinivas, etc. |
CUISINE |
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Staple food of local people - rice and vegetables
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Traditional Oriya meal - generally spicy with a lot of vegetables
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Special delicacies include fish, prawn and crab in non-veg and dalma (a mix of vegetables and pulses) and sag (leaf vegetables)
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Typical sweetmeats include Chhenapoda, Chhenajhilli, Rasabali (all made of milk) and Pitha (cakes)
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'Mahaprasad', the food of the Gods cooked by unique steaming process is available at temples.
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Green coconut water, a refreshing natural drink, is widely available.
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Indian, Chinese and Continental food available in Hotels & Restaurants.
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HEALTH CARE |
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In case of emergency, modern Allopathic, Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic medical care is available at Government Hospitals as well as private clinic / hospitals at all important tourist centres.
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Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Centres have been opened at Panthanivas, Bhubaneswar and at some private hotels. The Panthanivas at Bhubaneswar also has a Yoga Centre.
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LAW & ORDER |
Orissa is generally a peaceful state where tourists are always welcome and received by people with a smile. They are also ever ready to help you. However in case of any need, you can also contact the local Police Station or the TOurist Officer / Collector / Superintendent of Police (SP) of the district. |
DHANUYATRA:-
Dhanu Yatra relating to Folk festivals the episode of Lord Krishna's visit to Mathura to witness the ceremony of "Bow" is colourfully observed at Bargarh.
The town of Bargarh becomes Mathura, the river Jira becomes Yamuna and the village Amapalli on the other bank of the river becomes Gopa. Different acts of the characters descriptions are performed at their right places and the spectators move from place to place with the actions to see the performance. It is the Largest open air theater of this Planet. Maharaja Kansa is the detector of the largest open air theater of this planet during Festivals of India Dhanu yatra The village Remunda is situated near a town called Bargarh around 30 KM away from Bargarh in India.
Remunda population around 15,000 people .
Bargarh is a small town population around 100000 people. At Bargarh a festivals occur every year around last week of December or first week of January Named DHANU YATRA.
STORY OF DHANU YATRA :
The tale of Krishna is enshrined in the hearts of all, remembering Krishna, the cowherd, as a beloved God and remembrance of his exploits a source of joy to all. Yadava dynasty had their capital in Mathura
on the banks of the Yamuna.
The Yadavas were a pastoral group. Ugrasena was a king of this dynasty. Kansa, who was Ugrasena s son deposed and imprisoned his own father. Ugrasenas brother was Devaka. Devaka had a daughter named Devaki who was married to Vasudeva, son of Surasena. Surasena was also a Yadava like Ugrasena. After the marriage of Devaki and Vasudeva, Kansa was driving the couple to the bridegroom s house.
As the chariot roared past Mathura, a voice was heard from heaven, addressed to the charioteer, Kansa: "O fool of a king! You are conducting a lady whose eighth son will grow up to kill you.
Kansas impulsive reaction was to stop the chariot, seize Devaki and kill her on the spot. Vasudeva intervened and promised to put into the hands of Kansa all the children of Devaki as soon as they were born. Vasudeva implored Kansa to spare the life of Devaki. Kansa was satisfied with the arrangement proposed by Vasudeva for dealing with Devaki s children and drove the chariot on without injuring Devaki. As a measure of abundant caution, Kansa put both Devaki and Vasudeva in a prison under close guard.
Kansa started killing every child as soon as the child was born. He had killed six children in succession. Devaki became pregnant for the seventh
time. A miracle occurred. The child in her womb got transferred miraculously to the womb of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva. Rohini,
fearing Kansa, was living at Gokulam on the opposite bank of the Yamuna river. This child conceived in Rohini s womb was Balarama
Devaki became pregnant for the eighth time. This eighth child was born at midnight in prison. The Lord appeard in divine form at first and then, the
lying-in-chamber in the prison was filled with a dazzling light. Vasudeva and Devaki realized that the born child was no human, but a divine
incarnation.
They jointly praised the glory of the Lord and counted it a blessing that the Lord had grown in her womb before manifesting Himself. The divine form
was shown to the parents
and the Supreme Being had assumed
the form of a human child.
At the very moment that the Lord was born in the prison cell, the divine Maya or the Power incarnate of the Lord was born, in the Gokulam, as the
female child of Yasoda, the wife of Nanda.
A divine prompting came to Vasudeva: "Take your male child across the Yamuna to Gokulam and exchange him for Yasoda s daughter. Then you can
return to prison before anyone learns of the birth of the eighth child of Devaki." Vasudeva took the child in his arms and the prison doors opened
automatically, as the guards had been put to sleep by divine intervention.
Vasudeva reached the bank of the Yamuna river which was in a spate. The river parted and made way for Vasudeva carrying the divine child. Vasudeva reached the opposite bank of the river safely and found all the inmates of Gokulam fast asleep. Entering the house of Nanda, Vasudeva placed the child on the bed of Yasoda, picked up Yasodas female child and returned to Mathura.
Vasudeva laid the female child by Devaki s side and the prison doors shut automatically. The guards were now awake and were startled by the cries of the female child. The guards ran to Kansa and announced the birth of the eighth child to Devaki. Knowing that the eighth child would be the cause of his death, Kansa rushed to prison to execute the child. Devaki pleaded: "O Kansa, it is only a female child. How can this child do you any harm?"
Kansa ignored Devakis pleading, snatched the child from her lap and dashed
the child down on a stone slah. The child did not fall down; instead, the child flew up and appeared on the sky as a goddess with eight arms and each
arm carrying a weapon, "O fool of a king! You will gain nothing by killing me. The one who will destroy you is elsewhere. Do not kill innocent
children, from now on." With these words, the goddess disappeared. Kansa felt penitent and apologized to Vasudeva and Devaki for the pain he had
caused them. He set free Vasudeva and Devaki from the prison.
Meanwhile, there was a great rejoicing in the Gokulam, hailing the birth of
a son in Nanda s household. On the eleventh day of the happy event, priests performed the rites to bless the child and named the child, Krishna. The
entire Gokulam wore a festive appearance. The streets were swept clean and all the frontals of all houses were decorated with flags and flowers. Cows
were smeared with turmeric and adorned with peacock feathers and garlands. Gopas and Gopis of the Gokulam danced in joy and flocked to Nanda s house to see the child and offer presents to the Nandas. Rohini was ecstatic and received them all and treated the guests with sweets. The entire Gokulam was rejuvenated and everyone was filled with a sense of oncoming prosperity and joy.
One day, Nanda went to Mathura to pay his tribute to Kansa. When Nanda met Vasudeva In Mathura, Vasudeva enquired: "How are your two sons, Balarama and Krishna? I hope your newborn child, Krishna and Rohini are in good health." Nanda assured Vasudeva, "Krishna is a source of joy to Rohini and to me and indeed to the entire Gokulam." As Nanda parted company, Vasudeva uttered a warning, the import of which Nanda could not comprehend: "Brother Nanda! Now that you have paid your tribute to Kansa, get back home promptly. My mind is filled with foreboding that some ominous events are about to occur in Gokulam."
As Nanda returned home, an ominous event had indeed occurred. A she-demon called Putana had been instructed by Kansa to kill all new-born children in cities, villages and hamlets. Finding that there was a new-born child in Nanda s household, Putana promptly set about to kill the child. She had the power of assuming any desired form and could fly through air. Putana reached the Gokulam and assumed the form of a beautiful woman. She saw Krishna lying on his bed and smiling at all those who tried to carry him in their arms. Putana went to Krishna, lifted him up onto her lap and began to breast-feed him. She had smeared her breasts with a deadly poison and hoped that the child would consume the poison and die at once. The divine child knew Putana s tricks; the divine child started sucking the life of the demon along with her poisoned breast-milk. Putana s vital organs withered, she started rolling convulsively and cried, "Enough! Let me go!" She had suffered so intensely that Putana
could no longer conceal her true form. The form of a beautiful faded away and Putana now appeared in her true form as a hideous demon. She died
gasping for breath as the divine child lay on her bosom. Gopis who had gathered around were stunned and snatched the child away from the demon s body. Rohini prayed all the gods for their mercy and grasped the child in her breast. Nanda now understood the meaning of what Vasudeva had told him at Mathura.
On the first anniversary of Krishna s birth another miracle happened. Nanda and Yasoda were celebrating the birthday with festivities and feast. A cart was loaded with vessels of milk, cheese and butter. The child Krishna was put to sleep below the cart. Gopis suddenly heard some noises emanating from the cart. Krishna had woken up and shattered the wheels and axle of the cart and the cart was overturned spilling milk, cheese and butter on the ground. Gopis saw in utter disbelief that the little child had so much power as to break and overturn the cart. Yasoda tried to explain away the event as the work of some other demon like Putana trying to injure her dear darling child, Krishna.
Another emissary demon called Trinavrita, sent by Kansa, came to Gokulam. The demon assumed the form a whirlwind and tried to carry away the child Krishna who was playing in the house. The inmates of the Gokulam ran hither and tether as the whirlwind caused havoc in the area. They frantically started searching for Krishna. The demon had carried Krishna up in the sky but he found the child to be too heavy. Krishna clung to the throat of the demon and crushed the demon to death, while still hanging at the neck of the demon. The body of the demon fell crashing to the ground but the child Krishna was unhurt. The Gopis picked up the child and handed over Krishna to Yasoda.
These happenings made Nanda realize that Vasudeva did convey something by talking about his foreboding. Yasoda had also experienced some
extraordinary phenomena. One day, Krishna was playing with other children. The children ran up to Yasoda to report that Krishna had put a handful of
earth into his mouth. Yasoda ran up to Krishna, "You mischievous! Open your mouth, let me see what you have in your mouth." Krishna refused and tried
to run away from Yasoda. After repeated coaxing, Yasoda made Krishna open his mouth. Behold, Yasoda saw in his mouth the miraculous vision of the
entire universe: the earth with its mountains, oceans and continents, the sun, the moon, the stars and all the planets, Yasoda saw her own village
there surrounded by the children and Krishna opening his mouth to her. "Am I dreaming?" exclaimed Yasoda and realized that all changing things are
rooted in a changeless spirit.
Balarama was fair in complexion and Krishna was dark in complexion. Balarama was strong and Krishna was sprightly and bubbling with energy. The two playful brothers were the darling of the Gopis of the Vraja. The Gopis adored the mischievous pranks of Krishna such as stealing the butter and the cheese from the pots in the kitchen, drinking themilk out of their millkpots and letting the calves loose from their fetters. While they
enjoyed such pranks, they also came to Yasoda one day to report against Krishna and his mischievous behavior, "O Mother Yasoda! Your child Krishna is very naughty indeed! He un tethers our calves just before milking-time and when we try to beat him up, he just laughs and runs away. He steals the milk from our kitchen and shared the curds with his friends. When he finds the pots empty, he breaks them and runs away. We tried to keep the pots away from his reach by hanging them from the roof. He gets to these pots standing upon a bench or by piercing a hole with
a stone thrown at the hanging-pot. As as the milk leaks down from the hole in the pot, he holds the milk in the hollow of his palms and feeds
himself and his friends. Look at him, Yasoda; he stands before you as though he is the most innocent child. What a mischievous kid you have
brought into Gokulam, Yasoda. We do not how to cope with this mischievous, Krishna."
Making these complaints in a tone of mock-seriousness, the Gopis were adoring at the same time the charm and the lovely lips of Krishna. Krishna
started running away, "Now I am going, you can tell everything to mom, without fear of my presence!" Gopis sang in unison, "What a darling you
have brought into Gokulam, O Yasoda!"
One day, Yasoda had to tie him up to the mortar with a strong rope to stop his childish pranks of breaking and stealing butter from the pot in her
kitchen. Krishna started crawling on all fours and dragged the wooden mortar into the garden. The mortar was caught between two trees and as
Krishna tried to pull it through, the two trees fell. Two Siddhas emerged from the fallen trees prostrated at the feet of Krishna, "O Krishna! We are
the sons of Kubera, the god of wealth, in our previous birth. We were transformed as trees when we were cursed by Narada to reproach us for our
pride in our wealth and power. Now, you have freed us.
We will adore the mercy of God."
Incidents like these created a sense of terror in the minds of the inmates of the Gokulam, including Nanda and Yasoda. Extraordinary events had been occurring in the Gokulam which seemed to indicate that demons and evil spirits had settled in the colony threatening the very survival of the
Gokulam. Upananda, an old cowherd addressed the inmates:"Let us get out of this place before further calamities strike us. Brindavan forest is nearby. Let us go there." The Gopas and Gopis agreed and moved into Brindavan, located between the Govardhana hill and the banks of the Yamuna river. Krishna and Balarama enjoyed the sylvan tracts of Brindavan. Krishna would
play on his flute and both he and his brother would tend the cows and the
calves.
One day, the cowherd boys and Krishna were playing on the banks of the Yamuna. It was a hot day. The cowherd boys drank water from the river and
at once fell down unconscious. Krishna revived them and learnt that the poisonous snake called Kaliya had released its poison into the river. Even
the birds flying over the river fell down dead because of the poison that had entered into the atmosphere. As the cowherd boys and Krishna started in
search of Kaliya, they saw a kadamba tree on the banks of the river. Krishna climbed up this tree and dived into the waters of the Yamuna.
A
huge serpent emerged from the waters with its hundred black hoods and hanging purple tongues. Kaliya, the serpent, coiled himself around the body
of the boy, Krishna. The clouds darkened and ominous portents were seen on the sky. The inmates of Brindavan came rushing to the banks of the Yamuna
river and saw Krishna struggling with the serpent. An extraordinary
phenomenon occurred: Krishna had grown in size and the coils wound round his body became tighter. Krishna s body had now
started crushing the body of the serpent. The serpent could not withstand the force of the growing body of Krishna and had to release him from the
coils. Krishna now jumped on to one of the hoods of the serpent and started dancing, holding the serpent Kaliya by his tail. Now the snake was dying
and the red blood drops from the snake fell on the feet of Krishna and shone like rubies. The entire brood of snakes of the Kaliya vintage came to
the surface and prostrated at the feet of Krishna. Krishna stopped his dance. Kaliya and his brood of snakes were now chastened. Krishna asked
them to leave the river and move to the ocean. The serpent colony departed, the river Yamuna was rid of the poison in her waters.
It was the day of worship of Indra, the god of clouds and rain. Krishna
suggested to Nanda and other elders of Brindavan that on this day learned men and women should be honored, poor people should be fed, the inmates should take their cattle in a procession round the Govardhana hill which was the main sustenance for the entire colony of Brindavan. These
suggestions were accepted and the festivities began. Then, there was thunder and lightning in the sky and a heavy downpour of rain descended on
Brindavan. The cowherd felt that this was symbolic of Indra s anger. The rain became severe and evolved into a tempetuous hail-storm hurling stones at the people of Brindavan. "We have done something wrong by deviating from
the traditional forms of worship of Indra," cried the cowherds.
Krishna shouted his command: "All of you go towards the valley where the waters were not too deep." Krishna plunged into the ravine where the waters were very deep and disappeared. After a while, the people of Brindavan were witness to a miracle. The Govardhana hill was rising like an umbrella revealing dry ground. Krishna was seen at the centre of the dry ground, supporting the weight of the hill on an uplifted finger of his hand. The
people rushed into the dry ground. Krishna held up the hill on his finger for seven days until the rains stopped and the floods subsided. Krishna
asked the people to move into
Brindavan and lowered the Govardhana back into its place.
The Vraja country soon realized that Krishna was God in human form. The call of Krishna s flute was a call to a life divine. Vraja people knew that
the highest aim of their lives was to be devoted to Lord Krishna.
Krishnaleela (exploits of Krishna) were now household stories, everyone in Mathura knew of Krishna s divine deeds in Brindavanam. The people of
Mathura also came to know that Krishna was indeed the eighth child of Devaki and as prophesied will be Kansa s nemesis in due time. People were
suffering under the oppressive regime of Kamsa and knew that Kansas time was up since Krishna was growing in beauty and strength across the Yamuna in the forests of Brindavanam. People were enjoying hearing the stories of Krishna s mischiefs and exploits and counting the days for their
deliverance day when Krishna would take on Kansa. Kansa had tried to handle Krishna by sending Putana when Krishna was a mere child. Kansa also sent other demons in the form of a mighty bull, in the form of a wild horse and all these demon-forms perished at Krishna s hands and gained their
deliverance.
Kansa sent his messenger Akrura to Brindavan announcing a tournament in the
capital. Kansa had confided in Akrura that the plan was to station a mighty elephant at the entrance to the tournament grounds and to drive the animal
towards Balarama and Krishna as soon as they entered and crush them to death under the feet of the elephant. If this strategy fails, two
wrestlers, Chanura and Mushtika would challenge the two brothers Krishna and Balarama to a wrestling match and kill the latter in the contest.
Akrura was no fool; he hated Kansa like all other subjects of the kingdom and realized that Krishna was god in human form. Anyway, Akrura went to
Nanda and extended the invitation of the king Kansa; at the same time, Akrura also warned Krishna, secretly, of the evil designs of Kansa. Krishna
and Balarama laughed on learning about the plans and actively encouraged Nanda and other cowherds to accept the invitation to the tourney and
prepare for the festivities.
Gopis and Gopas were in tears seeing the chariots of Krishna and Balarama pass-by; they could not bear with the departure of these two lads from
their presence in Brindavan. Akrura was also accompanying the Brindavan party of contestants. The party rested on the banks of the Yamuna river for
a few hours. Akrura dived into the river to bathe and offer prayers. In the waters, he saw Krishna s form; Akrura floated up and found Krishna also
sitting as a charioteer on the ratha. Akrura could not believe his eyes; he again immersed himself in the waters only to find Krishna in the waters; as
he emerged from the waters, he found Krishna seated on the chariot. Akrura was wondering what was going on. Krishna appeared before Akrura in the
dazzling form in which he was in Heaven before he descended to the earth in human form. "What did you see, Akrura?" asked Krishna. "Lord, you knot it
all. There is nothing more beautiful under water or on the earth than yourself." Nearby villagers had
gathered to catch a glimpse of Balarama and Krishna and they wanted to be touched by Krishna, the darling. Finally, Krishna s party reached the
outskirts of Mathura and Akrura was asked to go to his house in Mathura.
The news of the arrival of Krishna and Balarama in the city spread like wild-fire. People of Mathura crowded into the streets, wherever the two
brothers went or just tried to get a glimpse of them by looking through the windows of their houses. The beauty and charm of Krishna was just
enthralling. The heavenly voice announcing the eighth child of Devaki had also been heard by them. Now they actually saw the divine being in human
form, vibrant and filled with energy. Everyone wanted to take the lad into his or her hands, fondle him and kiss him
In the tournament arena, a mighty bow was kept under security. Krishna took up the bow and broke into two pieces. The security guards tried to take
Krishna and Balarama prisoners but could not succeed. The brothers defeated the guards and entered into the wrestling grounds. The wrestlers arrived with a lot of fanfare.
As planned, at the gates of the wrestling stadium, the mighty elephant, Kuvalayapida was set upon Krishna and Balarama. The elephant seized Krishna with its trunk. Krishna slipped out of the hold and hid behind the animals legs. Krishna caught hold of the elephants tail and the elephant turned around and tried to crush Krishna under its feet. It also tried to gore him to death with its tusks. The tusks broke into pieces. Krishna caught the
trunk of the animal, shoved it to the ground and killed it with one of its own tusks.
Armed with the broken tusks of the elephant, Krishna and Balarama entered
the wrestling arena. Chamura the wrestler, came to the lads and said, "O sons of Nanda! Welcome to Mathuras wrestling match. Come, show your skills and please our majesty, Kansa."
Krishna responded, "Balarama and I are happy to be here. We are only lads, we are not professional wrestlers. Do you think it will be a fair match?"Chamura told Krishna that he and Balarama were not mere boys, their exploits were well-known all over the kingdom. I will take you on. Mushtika
will fight with Balarama."
The challenge was accepted. The spectators protested that this was an unfair contest between two professional wrestlers and two innocent boys; it
was like a contest between rocks and flowers. Kansa ignored the protests and flagged off the contest.
The professional wrestlers tried all their skills and tricks to down
Krishna and Balarama and failed miserably. The boys were agile and smart in their movements and tired out the professionals. The wrestlers were now gasping for breath. Krishna clung to the neck of Chamura and brought him down. Balarama punched Mushtika on his face and chest till the latter
vomited blood and fell down.
Kansa was in fury, "Seize these evil lads. Seize all the visitors from
Brindavan. Put them in chains."
As Kansa drew his sword, Krishna pounced on Kansa who was now standing in
front of his high seat. Krishna seized Kansa by his hair and crushed him to
death, dragging him onto the wrestling areana.
The prophesy had been fulfilled. Kansa was killed by Krishna, the eighth
child of Devaki. Ugrasena was brought back to the throne and proclaimed as
the king. All those who had fled from Mathura to escape the Kansas regime
had returned: for example, Yadus, Vrishnis, Madhus, Andhakas, Dasarkas and
Kukuras. Peace and harmony had now been restored in Mathura.
Orissa Sites
The Buddhist heritage in Orissa, though not as popular in the tourist circuit, is remarkable for its architectureal wealth. The Kalinga war, which transformed Emperor Ashoka into a devout Buddhist was fought on the banks of the river Daya near the temple city of Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Orissa. Bhubaneshwar is well connected by rail and road to the rest of the country.
Ashoka's rock edicts
Ashoka's rock edicts, dating from 260 BC, at Dhauli, 8 kms from Bhubaneshwar, stand testimony to his conversion to the gentle faith of the Buddha. These two 'Kalinga Edicts' differ from other Ashoka edicts which expound Buddhist principles. Dating from 260 BC the Dhauli edicts give detailed instructions to Ashoka's administratiors to rule his subjects with gentleness and fairness.
Six kilometres from Bhubaneshwar are the caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri, dating from 2nd century BC, on two separate hillocks separated by a road. At Udayagiri is the famous Hati Gumpha (elephant cave) of King Kharavela. There are several caves worth visiting with stone figures from the Buddhist pantheon and fine wall friezes.
The three sites of Ratnagiri, Udaigiri and Lalitagiri, constitute a separate circuit, well connected by road to Bhubaneshwar. Ratnagiri in the fertile Birupa river valley, 90 kms from Bhubaneshwar, was a great centre of Vajrayana Buddhist till the 12th century and the Mahavihara of Ratnagiri played a great role in the development of the Kalachakratantra during the 10th century. Today, pilgrims can see the remains of this monastic university along with the beautiful sculpted panels that reveal the intricate motifs on the niches.
In Udaigiri, 5 kms from Ratnagiri, the remains of a sprawling monastery has been recently excavated, that can be reached through a long stairway. Rock-cut sculptures adorn the hilltop. Lalitagiri is situated on a small hill and has a large number of votive stupas and the remains of a chaitya hall. Also noteworthy are the large number of Buddha figures housed in the site museum. There is a stone carver's village that has survived from ancient times where excellent sculptures are often to be found.
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