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Pattachitra Paintings for Home Decor

Handcrafted Home Decor For You

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Pattachitra is an ancient art form rooted in Odisha with a fascinating origin story. We walk you through the incredible process that goes into each exquisite painting.   

Pattachitra: The Heritage Art of Odisha 

Pattachitra is an ancient art form rooted in Odisha with a fascinating origin story.

Pattachitra: The Heritage Art of Odisha

Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 - Celebrate with joy and reverence! Explore exquisite Ganesh paintings, discover stunning Ganesh idols, and immerse yourself in the spirit of Ganesh Utsav. Experience the beauty and devotion of this auspicious festival.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 - Story of Ganesh Utsav

Ganesh Chaturthi - The Origins of the Ganesha Festival

Worshipped as the god of ‘Auspicious Starts’ and ‘Remover of Obstacles’, idols of Hindu god Ganesha adorn homes, offices and even cars. But which is the oldest dateable sculpture of Ganesha in India?

Tracing the First Ganesha

Do you know which is the oldest dateable sculpture of Ganesha in India?

While there are many archeological sites named Udayagiri, the one in the Jajpur district of Odisha is the most important. It was an important monastery, and a hub of spirituality, learning and art. Here is the story of the ‘Hill of the rising sun’.

Exploring the Ancient Wonders of Udayagiri

More idols and #temple remains have surfaced from the Mahanadi in #Odisha, including 7 idols and an 18-inch Krishna statue found recently. Hundreds of others lie submerged. Find out how treasures are being mapped and retrieved from Odisha's rivers. 

‘Krishna’ Rises From Odisha River

‘Krishna’ Rises from Odisha River

The famed Sun Temple of Konark is an exuberant example of Kalinga architecture at its zenith and one of India’s most-visited monuments. Was it built as an act of humility and gratitude or is it the mark of a zealous and ambitious king? Catch the story of this colossal ‘chariot in stone’ and the king who built it

Konark Sun Temple: Odisha’s Timeless Wonder

The Konark Sun Temple represents Kalinga architecture at its zenith. Catch the story of this ‘chariot in stone’

The Biraja Temple, a renowned Shaktipeeth, draws devotees from across the nation and gives Jajpur in Odisha its distinct identity as the ‘Biraja Kshetra’. Here is the story of the historic Biraja Temple of Jajpur.

Biraja Temple - In the Heart of the Biraja Kshetra

Odisha's Biraja Temple & the Cosmic Vortex

 It’s that time of year when girls in Odisha fast, collect flowers and perform an ancient ritual. Most have no idea that its roots lie in the trading ports of Kalinga. Catch the story of Khudurukuni Osa and the young girl that started it all

Khudurukuni Osa: Odisha’s Maritime Festival

Khudurukuni Osa is an ancient ritual performed in Odisha that has its roots in the trading ports of Kalinga

Odisha is a glorious land of temples, but what happens when a 500-year-old shrine resurfaces from the depths of the great Mahanadi River? Catch the story of the Gopinath Temple and what it could mean for other submerged monuments in the state 

Temple Rises from Odisha’s Mahanadi River

Catch the story of the Gopinath Temple and what it could mean for other submerged monuments in the state

The grand Bali Yatra in Odisha celebrates ancient mariners, links forged with kindly neighbours and a trade fair that is a roaring success. Journey through literature and folklore to rediscover a tradition that cuts straight to the heart of an ancient land

Bali Yatra: Odisha’s Voyage to a Glorious Past

The grand Bali Yatra in Odisha celebrates ancient mariners, links forged with kindly neighbours and a trade fair

A fascinating discovery was made in Odisha in 2005, which unearthed the remains of two Stupas connected with the life of Buddha. These were the ‘Kesa Stupa’ and the ‘Danta Stupa’, where a hair and a tooth of the Buddha were believed to be kept. Catch the story –

Jajpur's Historic Connection to Buddha's 'First' Devotees

The 13th century Athranala Bridge in Jajpur near Cuttack, is a bridge that , as per local beliefs, connects two ‘divine’ regions of Odisha – ‘Biraja Kshetra’ of Goddess Biraja and the ‘Jagannatha Kshetra’ of Lord Jagannatha.

Jajpur’s Atharanala Bridge – Connecting the Divine Realms

Treasures

  What is the link between Hirakud Dam and the fabled diamonds that once dazzled the courts of ancient Rome? Catch the fascinating story of Odisha’s ‘diamond island’ and its treasures.  

Hirakud: Diamonds Under A Dam in Odisha

What does one of India’s largest irrigation projects – the Hirakud dam in Odisha – have in common with diamonds coveted by ancient Roman emperors and their wives?

The Hirakud dam, on the Mahanadi river near Sambalpur in Odisha, is located 292 km north-west of Bhubaneswar. Inaugurated in 1957, it was one of independent India’s largest and most important irrigation projects. But if you were to travel here and ask ‘what lies beneath?’, the answer would quite literally be ‘diamonds’ and perhaps even ‘gold dust’.

The link between Hirakud Dam in Odisha and the fabled diamonds that once dazzled the courts of ancient Rome

Far from the famous temple-cities in Odisha is a town called Khiching that has a deep spiritual connection to the region’s past. Catch the story of the Bhanja dynasty and the stunning temples and architectural wonders they left behind

Khiching and its ‘Artistic’ Royals

The story of Odisha’s Bhanja rulers at Khiching & the stunning temples and architecture they left behind

The Battle of Kalinga is one of the most famous battles of Indian history. It transformed Ashoka into a peace loving promoter of Dhamma. But why did he attack Kalinga and, how did it manage to put up such a fight? We get you the lesser known story of ‘Kalinga Before Ashoka’ 

Kalinga Before Ashoka (7th BCE - 3rd BCE) 

There is a story that the Sri Lankans hold dear. It goes back to somewhere around the 6th BCE when a banished prince, the grandson of a princess of Kalinga (who had eloped with a lion), made his way to the island deep south with a band of 700 men. He defeated the local inhabitants the yakkhas and went on to rule Sri Lanka as King Vijaya. By now, he had taken the title of his father and grandfather (the lion) and that is how his people came to be known as the Sinhalese.

This story is mentioned in the Buddhist text Mahavamsa and the earlier Deepavamsa which chronicle the history of the people of Sri Lanka. They were both written somewhere between the 3rd and 5th CE – roughly 900 years later.

The story of one of the greatest trade centres of the world

Kalinga Before Ashoka (7th BCE - 3rd BCE)

Lost Cities

This ancient city, could give some of the best urban centres today, a run for their money!

Sisupalgarh: The Lost City

It was one of the most famous battles of Ancient India - The Battle of Kalinga in 262 BCE turned an ambitious king - the Mauryan empire builder Asoka, into a repentant peace lover who championed non violence and the Buddhist philosophy of Dhamma, becoming the first king in the world, to do so. If you want to understand why Kalinga was so important and what was at stake here for Asoka , you will have to head to Sisupalgarh, on the south-eastern edge of present day Bhubaneswar. Excavations here have unearthed the remains of a massive fortified urban centre, that many historians believe could have been the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kalinga.

Comparable to Athens, its contemporary, at its prime - archaeologists who have worked on Sisupalgarh believe it was the most organised urban centre of ancient India. Recent excavations conducted between 2005 and 2009 conclude that the region around Sisupalgarh was inhabited continuously from the 5th century BCE to 4th century CE. It had also become a thriving urban centre for trade, around the 2nd century BCE.

This ancient city could give some of the best urban centers today, a run for their money!

Tucked away in a small lane in Bhubaneswar in Odisha lies an architectural gem. <i>Mukteswar</i> or the temple of salvation, is dedicated to Shiva, in the form of <i>Mukta</i>, the Lord of Salvation.

Mukteswar: A Temple of Salvation

A 10th century CE temple dedicated to Shiva, in the form of ‘Mukta’, the Lord of Salvation.

Uncover the tale of the ancient stone elephant situated on Kayama Hill in Odisha, a relic associated with Tissa, the brother of Emperor Ashoka, who settled in Kalinga after the Kalinga War.

The Stone Elephant at Kayama Hill: Legacy of Ashoka’s Brother

Kharavela was the mighty king of Kalinga who rebuilt the empire destroyed by Ashoka and greatly expanded its territory. Yet we know so much about him from so little – just 17 lines of text inscribed in the Udayagiri caves in Odisha. Catch the story of this powerful but enigmatic ruler whose legacy lives on to this day

Kalinga’s King Kharavela (2nd BCE - 1st BCE)

‘Salutations to the Arhats (Jinas)… by illustrious Kharavela, the Aira, the great, the descendent of Mahameghavahana, increasing the glory of the Chedi Dynasty, endowed with excellent and auspicious marks and features, possessed of virtues that have reached the four corners, overlord of Kalinga.’

Thus starts one of the most talked-about inscriptions, high up on Hathigumpha (Elephant Cave), one of the caves in Udayagiri, a complex of largely Jain rock-cut temples and viharas near Bhubaneswar, the capital of present-day Odisha.

The ‘illustrious’ Kharavela, who talks to us through this long and flattering inscription, is one of the most interesting characters from ancient Indian history. He bursts upon the scene some time in the 2nd BCE -1st BCE, leading expeditions and battles, thwarting Greek invaders, fixing irrigation systems, restoring the ‘pride’ of Kalinga, patronising Jain monks and building great temple complexes and viharas. The fact that he did all this in a matter of a few years – historians believe he died when he was 38 years old – makes him enigmatic, as does the fact that he is fondly remembered in Odisha even today, even though he was the only significant ruler of his line.

The story of this powerful but enigmatic ruler whose legacy lives on to this day



Bhubaneswar, the city of temples, also has a rare set of Jain rock- cut shelters. The Udayagiri and Khandagiri complex are simply spectacular.

Rock Cut Temples of Udayagiri and Khandagiri

Explore the rare Jain rock- cut shelters in the city of temples Bhubaneswar.

A discovery of two Brahmi seals at the ancient site of Langudi Hill led to the solving of the mystery of the location of 'Pushpagiri'. Learn about the exciting excavation that revealed a vital clue to Indian history and the face of one of its famous people.

Pushpagiri Mahavihara: Lost Buddhist ruins found on barren Odisha hill

Rivers have been the cradle of civilizations, and in India they are worshipped as goddesses. The story of one unique river however, remains untold. The sacred Baitarni river in Jajpur town of Odisha is considered to be a gateway to the underworld. Here’s the story. 

Baitarani – The Sacred River

Did you know, that between the 8th and the 10th centuries, the Kingdom of Jajpur in Odisha was ruled by a series of powerful Queens who left behind a mark in history. Catch the fascinating story of the Bhaumakara Queens of Jajpur

The Queens who ruled Jajpur

Hidden between homes and shops of  Jajpur in Odisha, stands humongous monolithic pillar in reverence to Lord Vishnu. A legacy of Somavanshi kings, this pillar is a testament to a glorious period in Odiya history. Catch the story

Jajpur’s Shubha Stambha – An Ode to Lord Vishnu

Have you ever wondered what daily life was like for people living a thousand of years ago? How did people eat, drink, wear, study and work back then? We get some glimpse of this  from Jajpur in Odisha. Catch the story

Life in Jajpur – Thousand years ago!

Deep within the Biraja Mata Temple at Jajpur in Odisha, is a circular well so sacred, that performing a 'Pinda Daan' ritual here, is said to liberate the souls of one's ancestors. Catch the fascinating story of 'Nabhigaya' of Jajpur

Nabhigaya: Where Ancestors are Liberated

The Vajrayana School of Buddhism, with 18 Million devotees spanning Tibet to Mongolia, traces its Tantric roots to the historic Ratnagiri Monastery near present-day Jajpur in Odisha. Catch the story.

Ratnagiri Buddhist Complex – The Birthplace of Vajrayana

The town of Jajpur in Odisha offers a multitude of captivating experiences for travelers. From temples, historical sites to serene natural landscapes, Jajpur has something to offer for everyone.

Five Reasons to Visit Jajpur in Odisha

Five Reasons to visit Jajpur in Odisha

Pattachitra Paintings 

Bihar Museum Exhibition: Women and Deities

Trails

The Making of Jaipur

Pune before the Peshwas 

Tales of Shahjahanabad

Shola Durga

Lippan White Wall Mirror

Handmade Harappan Dancing Girl Replica in Dhokra Metal

Bastar Handmade Wrought Iron Spiral Tealight Holder

After the devastating defeat at the hands of Emperor Ashoka there was a king who restored the pride of ancient Kalinga. But what do we know about King Kharavela? On Tales & Trails, we take you to his old capital and the place from where archaeologists began to piece together the story of this great king.

After the devastating defeat at the hands of Emperor Ashoka there was a king who restored the pride of ancient Kalinga. But what do we know about King Kharavela? On Tales & Trails,  we take you to his old capital and the place from where archaeologists began to piece together the story of this great king.

In Search of Kalinga’s Kharavela | Tales & Trails

The Secrets of Ladakh: A Rare Journey

Dholavira: Tracing the Story of the Harappans

South Asian Masterpieces at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Revisiting India’s First Port City: Lothal

Join us on unforgettable journeys week after week and meet those who are defining the way we look at history

In Search of Kalinga’s Kharavela | Tales & Trails

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