'Ratha Yatra 2019 at Jagannath Puri, Odisha.' - by K J S Chatrath

With around 900,000 people participating in it, it was a fine display of faith, administrative competence and amazing self discipline shown by the faithfuls....Jai Jagannath!

The pillar in the background on the right side was brought from Konark which is around 64 kms away. It is now embedded in front of the entrance to the eastern gateway and is called Sun Pillar (Aruna Stambha), which originally stood before the temple of the Sun at Konark and was shifted here by the Marathas.The Sun Pillar is a monolithic shaft of chlorite with sixtten sides.It is 25 feet and 2 inches in height,2 feet in diametre,and 6 feet and 3.5 inches in circumference.It stands on an exquisitely carved pedestal (made of chlorite) of 7 feet 9 inches square and 6 feet high,and has a capital on the top 2 feet high,over which squats the praying Aruna. The capital is formed of two rings surmounted by a series of lotus petals. The measurements thus give a total height of 33 feet & 8 inches from the ground to the top of the capital. (Text source: http://www.shreekhetra.com/sripillar.html)

The one place you must visit before you die- Odisha!

Come, visit my India!