Lord Jagannath known as Patitapaban or "saviour of the downtrodden"
Location: Puri, Odisha, India
Construction:
- Constructed in the 12th century by King Anatavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty
- Known as 'Yamanika Tirtha'
- Called the "White Pagoda"
Part of Char Dham pilgrimages (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram)
Unique architecture: massive compound wall, large temple complex with multiple towers, halls, and shrines
Ban on Non-Hindus:
- Only Hindus allowed inside the shrine to offer prayers to the deities in the sanctum sanctorum
- Non-Hindus barred from entering for centuries
- No clearly articulated reason for the ban
- Non-Hindus can get privilege of darshan of Patitapaban at Lion's Gate
- In 1984, servitors opposed Indira Gandhi's entry due to her marriage to a non-Hindu
- In 2005, a Thai princess was only able to view the Temple from the outside as foreigners are not allowed
- In 2006, a Swiss citizen was denied entry due to her Christian faith despite her large donation
History of attacks: Historians suggest multiple attacks by Muslim rulers might have led to the restrictions
Main attraction: Annual Rath Yatra festival where three main deities are taken out in a grand procession on a chariot
Unique food offering: Mahaprasad, prepared in the temple kitchen and distributed among the devotees.
24-Jan-2023: Centre has decided to nominate the Charaideo Maidams in Assam for the UNESCO World Heritage Centre this year.
Assam's Charaideo Moidams
- Represents late medieval mound burial tradition of Tai Ahom community in Assam
- Mortal remains of Ahom royalty buried with their paraphernalia
- After 18th century, Ahom rulers adopted Hindu method of cremation and entombed ashes in Maidam at Charaideo
- 90 royal burials at Charaideo are best preserved, representative of and most complete examples of mound burial tradition of Ahoms
Ahom Kingdom
- Established in 1228 in Brahmaputra valley of Assam
- Ruled for 600 years, till annexed by British India in 1826
- Founded by Chaolung Sukapha
- Suppressed older political system of bhuiyans and relied on forced labour of paiks
- Society divided into clans or khels
- Accepted Hindu religion and Assamese language, but didn't completely give up traditional beliefs
- Army consisted of infantry, navy, artillery, elephantry, cavalry and spies
- Expert in guerilla fighting and constructing boat bridges in Brahmaputra
7-Jan-2023: PM congratulates people of Manipur on opening of Kangla Nongpok Thong
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated the people of Manipur on opening of Kangla Nongpok Thong in Manipur.
The Chief Minister had said that the opening of Kangla Nongpok Thong has a very important cultural significance. The Eastern Gate of Kangla is considered to be the pathway to peace, prosperity and happiness for the people of Manipur.
What is Kangla Nongpok Thong(Eastern Gate of Kangla)?
It's a 'Sacred bridge built in Manipur built in Kangla palace. It is built like the one which was built by their ancestors.
Kangla Palace:
Kangla Palace aka Kangla Fort is an old fortified palace at Imphal in the Manipur. It was formerly situated on both sides (western and eastern) of the bank of the Imphal River, now remaining only on the western side in ruined conditions. Kangla means "the prominent part of the dry land" in old Meitei. It was the traditional seat of the past Meitei rulers of Manipur. Kangla (Imphal) was the ancient capital of pre-modern Manipur. The Kangla is a revered spot for the people of Manipur, reminding them of the days of their independence. It is a sacred place to the Meiteis.
Now, the government has built the Eastern gate of the Kangla palace called as Kangla Nongpok Thong.