Significance: Marks the location where Buddha attained enlightenment.
UNESCO Status: World Heritage Site since 2002.
Historical Importance: One of the four holy sites related to Buddha’s life (Enlightenment).
Original Construction: Built by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka around 260 BCE.
Reconstruction: Reconstructed in brick during the late Gupta period (5th or 6th centuries).
Archaeological Finds: Indicates a site of veneration since the Mauryan period; Vajrasana (Diamond Throne) dated to the third century BCE.
Main Temple Structure: Dates from the 6th century CE, incorporates parts from 2nd or 3rd century CE.
Architectural Features: Two large shikhara towers, the largest over 55 meters high; influenced Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist architecture globally.
Materials: Made mostly of brick covered with stucco.
Bodhi Tree: A direct descendant of the original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.
Traditional Accounts: Describes 7 weeks Buddha spent meditating after enlightenment at various spots within the complex.
Decline and Revival: Declined after the Huna and early Islamic invasions; revived under the Pala Empire (8th-12th century); declined again after 12th century CE invasions by Turk armies.
Ratna Bhandar of Jagannath Puri Temple
Location: Puri, Odisha
Significance: Important Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Sri Krishna
History: Rebuilt from the 10th century onwards, begun by Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, first king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty
Annual Event: Famous for its annual Ratha Yatra (chariot festival) where three principal deities are pulled on huge, elaborately decorated temple cars
Architecture: Oriya style of temple architecture; complex covers over 400,000 square feet, surrounded by a high fortified wall (Meghanada Pacheri); main structures include Deula (Sanctum sanctorum), Mukhashala (Frontal porch), Nata mandir/Natamandapa (Audience Hall/Dancing Hall), Bhoga Mandapa (Offerings Hall)
Ratna Bhandar:
Context: The sacred treasury of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, known as Ratna Bhandar, was reopened after 46 years amid legal battles and controversies
Contents: Stores gold and jewels offered by devotees to the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra
Location: Adjacent to the prayer hall on the north side of the temple.
Sections: Consists of two sections: the ‘Bhitar Bhandar’ (Inner Treasury) and the ‘Bahar Bhandar’ (Outer Treasury)
Historical Significance: Legend says Odisha’s King Anangabhima Dev (1211 to 1238) donated 2.5 lakh madhas of gold to prepare jewelry for the deities
Management: Safety managed by the Temple’s Committee chaired by the titular ‘King of Puri’; keys held by the Puri royal family, temple committee, and collectorate with changes over the years
Recent Developments: Reopened by breaking the locks of the inner chamber due to inability to open traditionally, following strict procedures
Also in news:World Heritage Young Professional Forum
India is hosting the UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time in New Delhi.
Theme: “World Heritage in the 21st Century: Building Capacities and Exploring Opportunities for Youth.”
The World Heritage Young Professionals Forum is an initiative by UNESCO to engage young professionals in the field of heritage conservation.
The first World Heritage Young Professionals Forum was organized in 1995.
The primary aim is to engage young professionals in heritage conservation and management through capacity building, networking, and awareness-raising.
PYQ:
[2012] The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are the:
(a) Three main racial groups of the Indian subcontinent
(b) Three main linguistic divisions into which the languages of India can be classified
(c) Three main styles of Indian temple architecture
(d) Three main musical Gharanas prevalent in India
