HINDUISM IN UGANDA & TRIBAL MARRIAGE CULTURE IN UGANAD: BY LOKANATH MISHRA, MA, LLB, IRS (RTD)

Hinduism in Uganda & Tribal Marriage Culture in Uganda : By Lokanath Mishra, MA, LLB, IRS ( retired).  Uganda, a landlocked country in East Africa, is a treasure trove of natural beauty, rich culture, and resilient people. Known as the "Pearl of Africa," Uganda boasts breathtaking landscapes, from the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains to the vast savannas teeming with wildlife. The country's diverse culture is reflected in its 56 tribes, each with their own language, customs, and traditions. The Baganda, Basoga, and Bakiga are some of the largest tribes, each contributing to the country's vibrant cultural heritage. Uganda is home to incredible wildlife, including the majestic mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and lions. The famous Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest are just a few of the many attractions that draw tourists and adventure-seekers. Despite facing challenges like poverty and political instability, Uganda has made significant strides in recent years. The country has invested in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, leading to improved living standards and economic growth. Uganda's warm and welcoming people, stunning natural beauty, and rich cultural heritage make it a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. From the bustling streets of Kampala to the serene shores of Lake Victoria, Uganda is a true African treasure. Uganda's history includes a period of British rule, several coups, and a brutal military dictatorship, before the current president, Yoweri Museveni, came to power in 1986: In 1894, Uganda became a British protectorate. In 1962, Uganda gained independence from Britain and Milton Obote became the first prime minister. In 1966, a significant conflict occurred between Uganda and the Buganda kingdom. In 1971, Idi Amin overthrew Milton Obote and ruled Uganda for eight years. Amin's rule was characterized by mass killings and economic decline. In 1979, Amin was ousted as a result of the Uganda-Tanzania war. After Amin's fall, a series of other leaders came to power before Yoweri Museveni became president in 1986. Since Museveni's rise to power, Uganda has also contended with a 20-year insurgency in the north led by the Lord's Resistance Army. Uganda is a presidential republic with a multi-party system. The government is divided into three branches: 1. Executive: The President is the head of state and government, and is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. The President appoints a Prime Minister and Cabinet. 2. Legislative: The unicameral Parliament is composed of members elected by popular vote for five-year terms. 3. Judicial: The Supreme Court is the highest court, followed by the Court of Appeal and High Court. However, Uganda has been criticized for its authoritarian tendencies and human rights abuses under the long-time rule of President Yoweri Museveni. Hinduism in Uganda : Hinduism in Uganda arrived when the colonial British Empire brought Hindus along with other Indian workers to its East African colonies in late 19th and early 20th centuries. The largest arrival of Hindu immigrants to Uganda, some educated and skilled but mostly poor and struggling from the famine-prone areas of Punjab and Gujarat, was to help construct the Kenya-Uganda Railway connecting landlocked parts of Uganda and Kenya with the port city of Mombasa. The largest departure of Hindus from Uganda occurred when General Idi Amin expelled them and seized their properties in 1972. In addition to building major infrastructure projects, Hindus were a part of a global movement of workers to parts of British East Africa, aimed at helping the British government to establish services, retail markets and administrative support. The British invited Indian laborers as local skilled labor was unavailable. At the peak of the infrastructure projects in Uganda-Kenya, 32,000 people were brought in from India. Nearly 2,500 workers died because of difficult and unsafe working conditions during these projects. After the project ended, nearly 70% of the workers returned to India, while some 6,000 were absorbed in railway and other British operations such as retail and administration. Those who remained included Hindus, Muslims, Jains and Sikhs. Many from this ethnic group became financially successful. There were about 355,497 (0.93%) Hindus in Uganda in 2015 . After colonialism ended, Hindus (along with Jains and Sikhs) were discriminated against in East Africa including Uganda. This was a part of the policies of various East African governments in their promotion of Africanization based on laws and policies under which commercial and professional sectors of the economy had to be owned by indigenous Africans. The Hindus, along with Jains, Sikhs, Jews and other religious groups, were affected during this period of xenophobic targeting of Asians and Europeans by African leaders. When General Idi Amin came to power by overthrowing an elected government in Uganda, he adopted a policy of religious and ethnic cleansing against people of Asian religions. Himself a Muslim, he announced that he had a dream, where "Allah told him that the Asians, exploiters who did not want to integrate with the Africans, had to go". In 1972, he selectively expelled the Hindus along with other Asians from Uganda, and seized their properties. Most of those expelled were second or third generation Hindus, many with dual Ugandan and British citizenship. While he expelled Hindus and people of other religions with origins in India, Idi Amin did not expel Christians of British or French origins living in Uganda. The expelled Hindus mass migrated to other countries during this period, particularly the United Kingdom (28,000 refugees ) India (15,000 refugees), Canada (8,000 refugees), the United States (1,500 refugees) and in smaller numbers to other countries such as Australia. The expulsion removed most of Uganda's "industrialists, traders, artisans and civil servants", states Christopher Senyonjo, and their properties were re-allocated to civilians and Ugandan Army officials who supported Idi Amin. Uganda faced a shortage of skilled professionals such as doctors, bankers, nurses and teachers. It triggered a financial crisis and a collapse of businesses, including cement and sugar production, causing long-term economic devastation in Uganda. Twenty years after the Idi Amin expulsion, Uganda reversed its laws selectively targeting Hindus and other Indian religions. This policy, offered in cooperation with the World Bank, included a return of properties seized by Idi Amin's government, such as empty and unused factories, back to the families if they returned and recreated employment. Hindus are a tiny minority in the total Ugandan population of about 27 million. The official demographics lists Christians and Muslims separately, but includes Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists and traditional African religions as others. Approximately 65% of the South Asians living in Uganda are Hindus. The main religions in Uganda are: 1. Christianity (around 85% of the population) 2. Islam (around 14% of the population) 3. Traditional African religions and other beliefs including Hindus around 1%. In Uganda, marriage customs vary depending on the tribe and region. Here are some common practices: 1. *Kwanjula* (Introduction): A pre-wedding ceremony where the groom's family introduces themselves to the bride's family, asking for her hand in marriage. 2. *Kukyala* (Dowry payment): The groom pays a dowry, usually in the form of money, cattle, or goods, to the bride's family. 3. *Traditional wedding*: A ceremony where the couple is blessed by elders and leaders, often involving music, dance, and feasting. 4. *Church wedding*: A Christian wedding ceremony, common in Uganda, where the couple exchanges vows and rings. 5. *Polygamy*: Allowed in some cultures, where a man can marry multiple wives. 6. *Clan compatibility*: In some tribes, marriage is only allowed between specific clans or families. 7. Banyakole Tribe : In the Banyakole tribe of Uganda, there is a unique tradition called "Omukago" or "Kukagara". This involves a pre-marital sex test between the groom and with all the bride's aunts both maternal and the paternal aunts. If the bride is not having any auntie, then sisters in law or elder sisters or wives of uncles ( maternal) of the bride are to be selected for the sex test. The purpose is to ensure the couple's compatibility and fertility. Here's how it works: . At least minimum four ladies are to be selected for testing. For maximum there is no limit. - The selected aunts/ sisters in law / elder sisters are usually young and married women and are willing to sex with the groom. - The sex with groom is to be done in well in advance by all the selected aunties/ sisters in law/ elder sisters much before the day of marriage ceremony. - The selected women, then reports back to the family on the groom's performance and fertility. - If the groom passes, the marriage proceeds. Nowadays throughout Uganda the marriage ceremony, involves testing the husband's bed antics and potency. The bride’s aunts/ sisters in law/ sisters will have a sex session with the husband to check how good he is and if he is a type of man who will give their girl children. This is to make sure they are potent. The selected women make sure to check how the man's pipi works down there, and they report to the elders, whether he is a good man or not. During thy act with the man, the selected women note down his sex sweetness. They try all his favorite styles so bride can take a good note of everything about him. After these the selected women call the girl and explain to her how her husband behaves in bed and the styles he likes. They then teach her. After confirmation is done the marriage is allowed. Marriage in Uganda is of great importance as parents derive joy and pride from their children’s marriage. According to the Ugandan tradition, when a girl gets to the age of eight or nine, it is the duty of her aunt to groom her for family life. Virginity in this culture is held in high esteem so the girls must abstain from premarital s€x. The Tribes of Uganda consider the slim physique unattractive. To them, fat is simply sexy. So when girls get to the ages eight and nine, they are required to go through a fattening process. This is usually done to speed up the weight gain of the girls so they can attract a husband. Though the Banyakole marriage practice is unique , however it has been widespread in Uganda and now days all the tribal communities are following the same tradition/ practice . - Now all people of Uganda ( including Christians and Muslims ) except Hindus are following this tradition/ practice. Interestingly, Modernization and Christianity have also led to an incline in this practice. Thus the above marriage traditions / practices at present are to be considered as representative of the entire tribe or region of Uganda 🇺🇬 At present all tribes in Uganda have taken aunties meddling in a couple's marriage to another level. Virginity is highly respected in the entire Ugandan. Since, the bride must be a virgin, the groom must also be great in bed. At the age of eight, the aunt begins to groom the young girl for marriage. Once she develops breasts, she ought not to have sex. A bride who is not a virgin is considered of less value and suffers social exclusion or even the death penalty. The tribes of Uganda consider fatness to be a sign of attractiveness. Young girls are kept indoors and fed non vegetarian meals , millet porridge and a lot of milk to make them fat. All the brother in laws of the groom are to certify the virgin test of the bride. The brothers in law are also asked to "test" to see if the bride is still virgin or otherwise. After the marriage, the selected women will even observe or listen in while the bride and groom engage in sexual activity to help the couple improve their sex life. Although this archaic custom may seem strange, it demonstrates how the tribal people, value virginity.

HAMPTON COURT PALACE ( BY LOKANATH MISHRA)

 Hampton Court Palace: ( by Lokanath Mishra) Visited the Hampton Court Palace which is located in the bank of river Themes, A308, East Molesey KT8 9AU England during the summer ( July, 2024) King of United Kingdom, King Charles III has multiple official residences in the United Kingdom, including Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh: Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch since 1837, and the administrative headquarters of the monarch. The palace has 775 rooms, including 19 state rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, and 92 offices. The State Rooms are open to visitors every summer. King Charles is living permanently at Buckingham Palace after the Queen's passing, leaving behind Clarence House, which was his main residence for many years. Windsor Castle Home to many people, including the Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle, the Dean of Windsor, and the Military Knights of Windsor. Clarence House Located near St. James's Palace in London, this white building was King Charles' home as a child and has been his main residence since 2003. Many royals use the palace as their London base, including Princess Anne and Princess Alexandra. Highgrove House: Located in Gloucestershire, this country house was purchased by King Charles in 1980. It features eco-friendly features. Before Queen Victoria moved into Buckingham Palace in 1837, the British monarch lived in St James's Palace, which was built by Henry VIII in the 1530s. The palace became the official home of the monarch after Whitehall Palace burned down in 1698. St James's Palace is still the official residence of the Sovereign and is known as the Royal Court, or the "Court of St James's". Many British monarchs had stayed at Hampton Court Palace, including Henry VIII, William III and Mary II, and Queen Anne: Henry VIII Henry VIII's most famous residence, Hampton Court Palace was a symbol of his power and magnificence. The palace was built to be a place of celebration, pleasure, and ostentatious display, and was home to Henry's state and private apartments, as well as the apartments of his queens. All of Henry's queens stayed at the palace, and in 1537, Jane Seymour gave birth to Edward VI in her apartments. In the late 1600s, William III and Mary II moved into the palace and commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to design a baroque palace between 1689 and 1700. They also created many of the palace's gardens, including the Great Fountain Garden and the Privy Garden. Queen Anne's son, William, Duke of Gloucester, was born at Hampton Court Palace in 1689. After Queen Anne's death in 1714, her successor, George I, and his son, George II, were the last monarchs to live at the palace. During their time there, George I commissioned six rooms to be designed by John Vanbrugh in 1717, and George II and his wife, Caroline of Ansbach, commissioned William Kent to design new furnishings and decor, including the Queen's Staircase and the Cumberland Suite. By 1737, George II no longer wanted to use Hampton Court as a royal palace. It was quickly filled with grace and favour residents. Many of them were aristocratic widows in straitened circumstances, who were offered free accommodation in return for their husbands’ services to the monarch. The various apartments, although extremely grand, not always the most comfortable places to live. Residents regularly complained that the palace was 'perishingly cold' and damp, and some had no access to hot water. In 1838, Queen Victoria ordered the gates of Hampton Court Palace be 'thrown open to all her subjects' as an early act of generosity. Visitors flocked to enjoy the stunning palace architecture, get lost in the Maze and relax in the beautiful gardens. By 1881, over ten million visitors had been recorded, a huge number for the time. Hampton Court Palace was one of the few attractions open on a Sunday, the only day working people had to visit. Visitors arrived by every possible means: from boat to public coach. Their journeys were made easier by the railways arriving at Hampton Court in 1849. However, this sudden rush was not altogether welcomed by the grace and favour residents who had previously enjoyed exclusive rights to the palace gardens. They complained that the gardens became ‘hell on earth, the people come intoxicated and the scenes in the gardens on the Lord’s day are beyond description’. Despite the complaints, the number of visitors rose steadily year on year. The public were eager for novelty, and applauded the gardeners’ effort to put the palace gardens in the forefront of fashion. Patriotic displays of mass bedding celebrated the coronation of George V in 1911, for example. The palace is still a magnet for visitors from all over the world. One of the newest attractions for families is the Tudor-inspired Magic Garden, which was opened in 2016 by the Duchess of Cambridge. The Great Hall, looking up towards the hammerbeam roof. The roof was designed by King Henry VIII's Master Carpenter, James Nedeham. Originally it would have been painted with blue, red and gold. The Great Hall built by King Henry VIII replaces a smaller hall on the same site. The Hall is an entranceway to the King’s state apartments and was a communal dining room. Here up to 600 members of the court would eat in two sittings, twice daily. The Indian Army soldiers encamped at Hampton Court Palace in the early 20th century. During the first half of the 20th century, soldiers from the Indian Army camped in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace on a number of occasions. They were invited to join the coronation celebrations of Edward VII (1902), George V (1911) and George VI (1937), as well as the First World War peace parades in 1919. In 1919, almost 1,800 Indian Army officers, soldiers and civilian workers stayed in a camp specially created to house them during their stay. At the time, this was one of the largest gatherings of people from India and South Asia ever assembled in Britain. In late July 1919 one of the most extraordinary but forgotten visits to Hampton Court took place, when a contingent of nearly 1800 troops from the Indian Army, including their British and Indian officers, marched through the palace gates and out onto the golf course on Home Park, where they camped for the next two months. They returned to a shattered Europe by ship from Mumbai (then known as Bombay) months after the armistice that ended the First World War, to join in the national Peace Celebrations with soldiers from around the British Empire who had fought alongside each other. The Indian Army troops were representatives of the more than 500,000 who fought in the war, from the Western Front in France and Belgium, to the Middle East and Far East. When world war broke out in 1914 there was a reluctance by the British to allow Indian soldiers to fight alongside white troops, but this was soon abandoned as the relatively small British Army and its allies struggled against overwhelming German forces. "The Indian Expeditionary Force arrived in the nick of time and saved the British soldiers “ said Lord Curzon, former Viceroy of India, 1917. "Do not think this is war. This is not war. It is the ending of the world. This is just such a war as was related in the Mahabharata about our forefathers “ said one wounded Rajput army officer to a relative in India on 29 January 1915. The peace contingent made up probably the largest movement of people from the Indian subcontinent to Britain at the time - certainly from rural India - and made a great impression on the nation, which was captured in the press and even early news reels. The plan had been for the contingent to join the Victory Parade on the 19th July, but when the Peace Treaty of Versailles was finally signed during their voyage it was obvious they would not arrive in time. When influenza broke out on board ship, very sadly leaving five men dead, their journey seemed fruitless. However, King George V led calls for the troops to have their own parade on 2nd August. On a blazing summer day they marched past the new Cenotaph memorial in Whitehall, bearing banners with the names of the places across the globe where they had fought. Crowds turned out to cheer, women threw flowers and bands of Guards played at the head of their parade. The march ended with a review by the King and a garden party at Buckingham Palace, at which 19 year-old Gurkha Naik Karanbahadur Rana was presented with his Victoria Cross. I HEARTILY THANK ALL MY INDIAN SOLDIERS FOR THEIR LOYAL DEVOTION TO ME AND TO MY EMPIRE, AND FOR THEIR SUFFERINGS CHEERFULLY BORNE IN THE VARIOUS CAMPAIGNS IN WHICH THEY HAVE SERVED IN LANDS AND CLIMATES SO VERY DIFFERENT FROM THEIR OWN. From King George V's speech on 2nd August 1919 Indian troops saluting the Cenotaph on their Victory Parade in Whitehall, London 1919 For over six weeks the soldiers were well looked-after and entertained on tours of London and across Britain, as their hosts impressed them with the sights and also the military might of the 'home nation'. They toured in red London buses - the same buses that had driven some of them to the Western Front in 1914 – visiting the Tower of London, Madame Tussaud's and a Chelsea football match. There were trips to a secret warship at Portsmouth dockyard, a bombing demonstration on the River Medway, flights at the Handley-Page aircraft factory and even a trip down the River Clyde from Glasgow.p The camp was laid out along the River Thames, with streets separating the British and Indian officers’ bell tents from the other ranks. This was not the first time Indian soldiers had camped at Hampton Court, as the army fell back on plans made for the coronation celebrations of Edward VII and George V in 1902 and 1910. Careful arrangements were made to respect the religious and social customs of the different peoples represented by regiments from across India and its modern neighbours – including Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus. There were separate slaughter pens and kitchens, laundries and latrines (dug toilets) run by civilian camp ‘followers’. Entertainments were laid on including a cinema tent provided by the Young Men’s Christian Association as well as organised sports, and the men were allowed to leave camp with a pass. A souvenir book commemorating the visit to England of 1,800 Indian troops in the Autumn of 1919 to acknowledge the role the Indian Armed Forces played during the First World War. Behind this forgotten story of British and Indian comradeship in victory hides a much more complicated one of India's role in the First World War. The Indian Army was the creation of British colonial rule, built around racial prejudices to secure dominion over the Indian subcontinent. The Peace Celebrations of 1919 brought this great contribution and sacrifice to the public’s attention but as promises of greater self-rule dwindled, this story from the First World War became easier to forget.

FEW WORDS ABOUT ODISHA ( BY LOKANATH MISHRA)

ଓଡ଼ିଶା:- ଖାରବେଳଙ୍କ ତିଆରି ହାତୀଗୁମ୍ଫାରେ ଥିବା ଶିଳାଲେଖ, ଉଦୟଗିରି ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ମାନବ ଇତିହାସ ପୁରାତନ ପ୍ରସ୍ଥର ଯୁଗରୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୋଇଥିବାର ପ୍ରମାଣ ମିଳେ । ଏଠାରେ ଅନେକ ସ୍ଥାନରୁ ଏହି ଯୁଗର ହାତ ହତିଆର ମିଳିଛି । ଖ୍ରୀ.ପୂ. ୨୬୧ରେ ମୌର୍ଯ୍ୟ ବଂଶର ସମ୍ରାଟ ଅଶୋକ ଦୟା ନଦୀ କୂଳରେ ଭୟଙ୍କର କଳିଙ୍ଗ ଯୁଦ୍ଧରେ ସେପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଅପରାଜିତ ଥିବା କଳିଙ୍ଗକୁ ଦଖଲ କରିଥିଲେ । ଏହି ଘଟଣା ପରେ ସେ ଭାରତ ବାହାରେ ବୌଦ୍ଧଧର୍ମର ପ୍ରଚାର ପ୍ରସାର ନିମନ୍ତେ ପଦକ୍ଷେପ ନେଇଥିଲେ । ପ୍ରାଚୀନ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଦକ୍ଷିଣ-ପୁର୍ବ ଏସିଆର ଦେଶ ମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ନୌବାଣିଜ୍ୟ ସମ୍ପର୍କ ରହିଥିଲା । ସିଂହଳର ପ୍ରାଚୀନ ଗ୍ରନ୍ଥ ମହାବଂଶରୁ ଜଣାଯାଏ ସେଠାର ପୁରାତନ ଅଧିବାସୀ ପ୍ରାଚୀନ କଳିଙ୍ଗରୁ ଯାଇଥିଲେ । ଦୀର୍ଘ ବର୍ଷ ଧରି ସ୍ୱାଧୀନ ରହିବାପରେ, ଖ୍ରୀ.ଅ. ୧୫୬୮ରେ ଏହି ଅଞ୍ଚଳ ବଙ୍ଗଳାର ସେନାପତି କଳାପାହାଡ଼ଦ୍ୱାରା ଅଧିକୃତ ହୋଇଥିଲା । ଖ୍ରୀ ଅ ୧୭୫୧ରେ ଏହି ଅଞ୍ଚଳ ମରାଠା ମାନଙ୍କ ଅଧୀନକୁ ଆସିଥିଲା । ୧୮୦୩ ମସିହାରେ ଇଂରେଜମାନେ ଏହି ଅଞ୍ଚଳକୁ ନିଜ ଅଧୀନକୁ ନେଇଥିଲେ ତ। ୧୯୩୬ ମସିହାରେ ବିଛିନ୍ନ ଅଞ୍ଚଳ ଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଏକତ୍ର କରାଯାଇ ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର ଓଡ଼ିଶା ପ୍ରଦେଶ ଗଠନ କରାଗଲା । ଭାଷାକୁ ନେଇ ଗଠିତ ଏହା ପ୍ରଥମ ରାଜ୍ୟ ଥିଲା । ଗଙ୍ଗ ରାଜା ଲାଙ୍ଗୁଳା ନରସିଂହ ଦେବଙ୍କଦ୍ୱାରା ତିଆରି କୋଣାର୍କ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ମନ୍ଦିର, ଏହା ଏକ ବିଶ୍ୱ ଐତିହ୍ୟ ସ୍ଥଳୀ । ସିଂହଳ(ଶ୍ରୀଲଙ୍କା), ଜାଭା, ସୁମାତେରା, ବାଲି, ବ୍ରହ୍ମଦେଶ (ମିଆଁମାର), ସାମ (ଥାଇଲାଣ୍ଡ), କାମ୍ବୋଡ଼ିଆ, ଅନାମ (ଭିଏତନାମ), ଚୀନ, ଜବନ (ଜାପାନ), କୁକୁଟ (କୋରିଆ), ମକ୍କସିଖ (ମେକ୍ସିକୋ), ମିସର (ଇଜିପ୍ଟ), ସିମିଳି (ଆରବ), ବାବିଲନ (ଇରାକ) ପ୍ରଭୃତି ସ୍ଥାନରେ କଳିଙ୍ଗର ନିର୍ମାଣ-କଳା ଓ ବାଣିଜ୍ୟ-ସଂସ୍କୃତି-ଇତିହାସର ଚିହ୍ନ ଏବେ ବି ଦେଖିବାକୁ ମିଳେ । ସଂମ୍ଭବତଃ ଲୋକତନ୍ତ୍ର ପ୍ରଚଳିତ ଥିଲା । ଖ୍ରୀ.ପୂ. ୨୬୧ - ପୃଥିବୀ ବିଖ୍ୟାତ କଳିଙ୍ଗ ଯୁଦ୍ଧ ଖ୍ରୀ.ପୂ. ୧ମ ଶତାବ୍ଦୀ - ଚେଦୀ ରାଜବଂଶର ସମ୍ରାଟ ମହାମେଘବାହାନ ଐର ଖାରବେଳଙ୍କ ରାଜତ୍ୱ, କଳିଙ୍ଗର ପରିସୀମା ଆଗଙ୍ଗା-କାବେରୀ, ତଥା ପଶ୍ଚିମ ଓ ମଧ୍ୟ ଭାରତକୁ ବିସ୍ତାରିତ । ଜୈନ ଧର୍ମର ପ୍ରସାର । ୩ୟ-ଷଷ୍ଠ ଶତାବ୍ଦୀ - ଗୁପ୍ତ-ରାଜବଂଶ, ହର୍ଷବର୍ଦ୍ଧନ, ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟ ପୁଲକେଶୀ, ମାଠର, ଭୌମକର ଇତ୍ୟାଦି ବିଭିନ୍ନ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ଶାସନାଧୀନ ୭୯୫ ଖ୍ରୀ. - କେଶରୀ ରାଜବଂଶ । ଯଯାତି କେଶରୀ କଳିଙ୍ଗ, କୋଶଳ ଓ ଉତ୍କଳକୁ ଏକତ୍ର କଲେ ।ଜଯାଜପୁରରେ ରାଜଧାନୀ ସ୍ଥାପନ । ୧୦୭୮-୧୪୩୪ ଖ୍ରୀ. - ଗଙ୍ଗବଂଶର ଅନନ୍ତବର୍ମା ଚୋଳଗଙ୍ଗ ଦେବଙ୍କ ରାଜତ୍ୱ ପ୍ରାରମ୍ଭ । ୧୦୭୮-୧୧୫୦ ଖ୍ରୀ. - ଚୋଡ଼ଗଙ୍ଗ ଦେବଙ୍କ ରାଜୁତି । ପୁରୀ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ମନ୍ଦିର ନବୀକରଣ ପ୍ରାରମ୍ଭ । କଟକ ହେଲା ନୂଆ ରାଜଧାନୀ (ପ୍ରାୟ ୧୧୭୦ ଖ୍ରୀ.) । ୧୧୭୦-୧୧୯୮ ଖ୍ରୀ. - ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟ ଅନଙ୍ଗଭୀମଦେବ । ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ମନ୍ଦିରର ନିର୍ମାଣ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ସମାପ୍ତ । ୧୨୨୯ ଖ୍ରୀ. - ତୃତୀୟ ଅନଙ୍ଗଭୀମଦେବଙ୍କଦ୍ୱାରା ବାରବାଟି ଦୁର୍ଗ ନିର୍ମିତ । ୧୨୩୮-୧୨୬୪ ଖ୍ରୀ. - ଲାଙ୍ଗୁଳା ନରସିଂହଦେବ । କୋଣାର୍କ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟ ମନ୍ଦିର ନିର୍ମିତ | ୧୪୩୫-୧୫୪୧ ଖ୍ରୀ. - ଗଜପତି ରାଜବଂଶ । ଆଗଙ୍ଗା-ଗୋଦାବରୀ ସାମ୍ରାଜ୍ୟ । ୧୪୩୫-୧୪୬୬ ଖ୍ରୀ. - (ନବକୋଟି କର୍ଣ୍ଣାଟ ଉତ୍କଳ ବର୍ଗେଶ୍ୱର) କପିଳେନ୍ଦ୍ରଦେବ । ଗଂଗା ଠାରୁ ଗୋଦାବରୀ ଥିଲା ଓଡିଶା । ୧୪୯୭-୧୫୪୧ ଖ୍ରୀ. - ରାଜା ପୁରୁଷୋତ୍ତମଦେବ ଓ ତାଙ୍କପରେ ପ୍ରତାପରୂଦ୍ରଦେବ । ୧୫୬୮ ଖ୍ରୀ. - ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଶେଷ ସ୍ୱାଧୀନ ହିନ୍ଦୁ ଶାସକ ମୁକୁନ୍ଦଦେବ ପରାସ୍ତ । ବଙ୍ଗର ମୁସଲିମ ଶାସକ ସୁଲେମାନ କରାଣୀ ତଥା ତାଙ୍କ ସେନାପତି କଳାପାହାଡ଼ଦ୍ୱାରା ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଅଧିକୃତ । ୧୫୭୬ ଖ୍ରୀ. - ମୋଗଲମାନଙ୍କର ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଅଧିକାର । ୧୭୫୧ ଖ୍ରୀ. - ମରହଟ୍ଟାମାନଙ୍କର ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଅଧିକାର । ୧୮୦୩ ଖ୍ରୀ. - ୧୪ ଅକ୍ଟୋବର: ବ୍ରିଟିଶମାନେ ଓଡିଶା ଅଧିକାର କଲେ। ୧୯୧୨ ଖ୍ରୀ. - ବିହାର-ଓଡ଼ିଶା , ବଙ୍ଗରୁ ଅଲଗା ପ୍ରାନ୍ତ ଭାବେ ଗଠିତ । ୧୯୩୬ ଖ୍ରୀ. - ସ୍ୱତନ୍ତ୍ର ଓଡ଼ିଶା ପ୍ରାନ୍ତ ଗଠିତ । ୧୯୪୭ ଖ୍ରୀ. - ସ୍ୱାଧୀନ ଭାରତର ଏକ ରାଜ୍ୟ ଭାବେ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ମାନ୍ୟତା-ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ । ୧୯୪୮ ଖ୍ରୀ. - ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱର ନୂତନ ରାଜଧାନୀ ଓଡିଶାରେ ଗଙ୍ଗବଂଶ ୧୪୩୪ ଯାଏଁ ଥିଲା । ତାହା ପରେ କପିଳେନ୍ଦ୍ରଦେବ, ପ୍ରତାପରୁଦ୍ରଦେବ, ଗୋବିନ୍ଦ ବିଦ୍ୟାଧର, ମୁକୁନ୍ଦ ହରିଚନ୍ଦନ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଶାସକ ଥିଲେ। ପରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଆଫଗାନମାନଙ୍କ ହାତକୁ ଆସିଲା ଓ ୧୫୬୮ରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ମୋଗଲମାନଙ୍କ ଶାସନାଧୀନ ହେଲା । ଏହି ସମୟରେ ୧୭୫୫ ଖ୍ରୀ. ବେଳକୁ ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ଅତ୍ୟାଚାର, ଲୁଣ୍ଠନ, ଅରାଜକତା ଆଦି ବହୁ ମାତ୍ରାରେ ବ୍ୟାପୀ ଯାଇଥିଲା । ୧୮୦୩ରେ ଇଂରେଜମାନେ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ଅଧିକାର କଲେ । ୧୮୧୭ ଖ୍ରୀ.ରେ ପାଇକମାନେ ଇଂରେଜ ବିରୋଧରେ ଲଢ଼େଇ ଆରମ୍ଭ କଲେ । ଇଂରେଜମାନେ ନିର୍ମମ ଭାବରେ ଏହି ବିଦ୍ରୋହକୁ ଦମନ କରିଥିଲେ । ୧୮୧୭ରେ ଖୋରଧା ରାଜା ମୁକୁନ୍ଦଦେବ ବନ୍ଦୀ ବେଳେ ମୃତୁ ବରଣ କଲେ । ଯଦିଓ ୧୬ଶ ଓ ୧୭ଶ ଶତାବ୍ଦୀରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ବାହାର-ବାଣିଜ୍ୟ ଉନ୍ନତି ସାଧନ କରିଥିଲା, ତଥାପି କେଇ ବର୍ଷର ରାଜନୀତିକ ଅସ୍ଥିରତା ସକାଶେ ଅର୍ଥନୀତିର ପ୍ରଗତି ବାଧା ପାଇଥିଲା । ୧୯୩୬ ମସିହା ଅପ୍ରେଲ ପହିଲା ଦିନ ଛଅଟି ଜିଲ୍ଲା କଟକ, ପୁରୀ, ବାଲେଶ୍ୱର ଗଞ୍ଜାମ କୋରାପୁଟ ଓ ସମ୍ବଲପୁରକୁ ନେଇ ୩୨,୬୯୫ ବର୍ଗମାଇଲ ଓ ୮୦ଲକ୍ଷ ୪୩ହଜାର ୬୮୧ ଜନସଂଖ୍ୟାକୁ ନେଇ ନୂତନ ଓଡ଼ିଶା ପ୍ରଦେଶ ଗଠିତ ହୋଇଥିଲା । ୧୯୪୮ ମସିହା ଜାନୁଆରୀ ପହିଲା ତାରିଖରେ ୨୩ଟି ଗଡ଼ଜାତର (ଆଠଗଡ଼, ଆଠମଲ୍ଲିକ, କଳାହାଣ୍ଡି, କେନ୍ଦୁଝର, ଖଣ୍ଡପଡ଼ା, ଗାଙ୍ଗପୁର, ଢେଙ୍କାନାଳ, ତାଳଚେର, ତିଗିରିଆ, ଦଶପଲ୍ଲା, ନରସିଂହପୁର, ନୟାଗଡ଼, ନୀଳଗିରି, ପାଟନା, ପାଲଲହଡ଼ା, ବଉଦ, ବଡ଼ମ୍ବା, ବଣାଇ, ବାମଣ୍ଡା, ରଣପୁର, ରେଢ଼ାଖୋଲ, ସୋନପୁର ଓ ହିନ୍ଦୋଳ) ଓଡ଼ିଶା ସହିତ ମିଶ୍ରଣ ହୋଇଥିଲା । ପରେ ମୟୂରଭଞ୍ଜର ଓଡ଼ିଶା ସହ ମିଶ୍ରଣ ହୋଇଥିଲା । ଏହି ଗଡ଼ଜାତ ମିଶ୍ରଣ ପରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ଲୋକସଂଖ୍ୟା ପହଞ୍ଚିଲା ୧କୋଟି ୪୬ଲକ୍ଷ ୪୫ହଜାର ୯୪୬ରେ ଓ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରଫଳ ହେଲା ୬୦ହଜାର ୧୭୦ ବର୍ଗମାଇଲ । ୧୯୫୦ ଜାନୁଆରୀ ୨୬ତାରିଖରେ ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ଆଉ ୭ଟି ଜିଲ୍ଲା ଯୋଗହେଲା ମୋଟ ଜିଲ୍ଲା ସଂଖ୍ୟା ହେଲା ୧୩ । ୧୯୯୩ ଏହି ୧୩ଟି ଜିଲ୍ଲା ପୁନର୍ଗଠିତ ହୋଇ ୩୦ଟି ଜିଲ୍ଲା ହେଲା ।

CHINESE ODISHI DANCER MADE HISTORY ( BY LOKANATH MISHRA)

Odissi (Odia: ଓଡ଼ିଶୀ) dance is a major ancient Indian classical dance that originated in the temple of Prabhu Shri Jagannath, Puri and other famous temples in Odisha. Odissi is believed to be one of the oldest surviving classical dance forms in the country, originating its roots dating back to the Prabhu Shri Jagannath temple of Puri in the 2nd century BCE. As with all other classical dance forms of India, Odissi was also performed as a part of temple worship. The theoretical foundations of Odissi trace to the ancient Sanskrit text Natya Shastra, its existence in antiquity evidenced by the dance poses in the sculptures of Kalingan temples and archeological sites related to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. It was suppressed under the Muslim and British Rule. The suppression was protested by the Indians, followed by its revival, reconstruction and expansion since India gained independence from the colonial rule. Odissi is traditionally a dance-drama genre of performance art, where the artist(s) and musicians play out a story, a spiritual message or devotional poem from the Hindu texts, using symbolic costumes,body movement, abhinaya (expressions) and mudras (gestures and sign language) set out in ancient Sanskrit literature. During the Sultanate and Mughal era of India, the temple dancers were moved to entertain the Sultan's family and courts. They became associated with concubinage to the Sultanas and Moguls The Odissi dance likely expanded in the 17th century, under Gajapati King Ramachandradeva's patronage. This expansion integrated martial arts (akhanda) and athletics into Odissi dance, by engaging boys and youth called Gotipuas, as a means to physically train the young for the military and to resist foreign invasions. According to Ragini Devi, historical evidence suggests that the Gotipuas tradition was known and nurtured in the 14th century, by Raja of Khordha. During the British Raj, the officials of the colonial government ridiculed the temple traditions, while Christian missionaries launched a sustained attack on the moral outrage of sensuousness of Odissi and other Hindu temple dance arts. In 1872, a British civil servant named William Hunter watched a performance at the Jagannatha temple in Puri, then wrote, "Indecent ceremonies disgraced the ritual, and dancing girls with rolling eyes put the modest worshiper to the blush...", and then attacked them as idol-worshiping prostitutes who expressed their devotion with "airy gyrations". Christian missionaries launched the "anti-dance movement" in 1892, to ban all such dance forms. The dancers were frequently stigmatized as prostitutes by Europeans during the colonial era. In 1910, the British colonial government in India banned temple dancing, and the dance artists were reduced to abject poverty from the lack of any financial support for performance arts, combined with stereotyping stigma. The temple dance ban and the cultural discrimination during the colonial rule marshaled a movement by Hindus to question the stereotypes and to revive the regional arts of India, including Odissi. Due to these efforts, the classical Indian dances witnessed a period of renaissance and reconstruction, which gained momentum particularly after Indians gained their freedom from colonialism. Odissi, along with several other major Indian dances gained recognition after efforts by many scholars and performers after 1947. Now Odishi dance is being performed by modern dancers throughout the world 🌎 At present there are many odishi dancers of foreign countries are performing Odishi dance. Many Muslim and Christian dancers are also performing Odishi dance in USA, Canada 🍁, Australia, UK, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France etc. The first Chinese Odishi dancer Zhang Jun had passed away in 2012. Chinese Odissi dancer Wu Kan was learnt Odishi dance form Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra’s Odissi institution . Chinese Odishi dancer Soo Mei Fei was learnt Odishi dance at the age of seventeen, along with her classmates at National Junior College of Singapore . Recently one Chinese dancer makes history by performing Odishi and 'Arangetram' in China . Lei Muzi, a 13-year-old school student, made her solo dance debut on Sunday (August 11) in front of the celebrated Bharatanatyam dancer Leela Samson, Indian diplomats and a large audience of Chinese fans. Lei Muzi, the Chinese Bharatanatyam student, performs at the first ever Arangetram, and Odishi dance in Beijing, China on August 11, 2024. For ardent Chinese fans of Indian classical art and dance forms who devoted their lives to learning and performing them for decades, her debut was a moment of history and a milestone as it was the first-ever “Arangetram” - Bharatnatyam's graduation ceremony - in China.

Images of Lord Shri Jaganath and Shri Mandir in Royal Caribbean Cruise 🚢: ( by Lokanath Mishra ): Jai Prabhu Shri Jaganath ! On 27.09.2023 my family ( my self, wife, son, daughter in law, grand daughter, grandson total six) joined the Explorer of the Seas in Galveston , Houston, USA by Royal Caribbean cruise ship 🚢 From here I along with my family headed across the Sea to Mexico. No stops – just water. It’s not a typical cruise experience but it gives me a good chance to explore what there is to do on the sea. Very interestingly, I found the images of lord Shri Jaganath and Shri Mandira in different places of the cruise ship. I was very much surprised to see such beautiful images of Prabhu Shri Jaganath in the Royal Caribbean’s cruise ship. I inquired from different sources to ascertain about such images but no one was able to furnish any information about such images. However at last one Mr. K. S. Patil ( a inhabitant of Goa) who is working in the housekeeping section of the cruise ship since last five years has thrown light about such images. He has said the following: - -/-That The Royal Caribbean’s cruise 🚢 which is running in between USA ( Galveston) and Mexico ( Cozumel ) can carry more than 5,500 guests and more than 1,600 crew members. During the year 2020 this cruise ship had a major outbreak on board, with the ship quarantined from 24 February 2020 for about one month and detained at Cozumel. Of 7,100 passengers and crew, around 400 people became infected in Covid-19. This fact was reported in media . During that particular incident one Patel’s family was traveling in the cruise ship and this family was consisting of 12 members including children. This family was also detained along with 7,100. During that particular time every one in the cruise ship were panicked along with the chief except the Patel’s family members who constantly looking at the images of lord Shri Jaganath and started making prayers to save all the 7,100 persons. All the family members also did Hare Krishna bhajan in front of the image of lord ShriJaganath in the deck . All the family members seemed very calm and they were engaged with the bhajan happily. To this many co passengers went upto the family and saw the picture which was of the two round eyes of Lord Jagannath. The Patel family told them that they are worshipping the lord as they believe that they all will be definately saved by Lord Jagannath. The family informed that earlier in their lives they had overcome many difficulties situations by the blessings of the Lord Shri Jaganath. Other passengers were shocked to see such a deep believe . Though many passengers and crews were of other religious origin such as Christians and Muslims etc but they made 200 nos of copies of images of lord Shri Jaganath and all sat in halls and prayers room and started praying Lord Jaganath by keeping His image in front of them . All the people of the cruise ship joined them too for prayers and bhajan . After a few days the passengers found that all the affected passengers were completely cured from Covid-19. All the 7,100 people deeply overwhelmed and emotional and thanked the patel family. Many people told them that their deep believe and devotion led to Lord Jagannath save them all. Since then many images of lord Shri Jaganath are still visible in this cruise ship 🚢— The above 👆 one is the fact about finding of images of lord Shri Jaganath in the cruise ship 🚢. Now let’s see the other aspects of the cruise ship. There are grey skies when I board in Galveston in the afternoon . An ominous sign – perhaps of the hair colour of my fellow passengers. I head straight up on deck and… it’s empty. A cold wind blows across and drags with it the music from a sad speaker. The bar is closed, there’s nobody in the pool. On third day we along with most of the passengers were using the day in port to go out and explore mexico. By the afternoon, the sun has come out and the passengers have come on board and many are up on the top decks. The bars are open and a band is playing calypso pop in front of the pool. There’s movement and noise everywhere and, as we start to pull out of port, I get rather excited. I run around, trying to look at everything from different angles, waving to the people I imagine are on shore, thinking about what suckers they are, not here on this enormous cruise ship. Hasn’t my tune changed!! By definition, a cruise ship is designed to take you to new places. One of the great appeals of travelling like this is that you never have to change rooms but you can be in a new city every day. It’s a bit like teleportation – just with a bit of a longer wait and more bingo. So it’s a strange experience for me to have several days where there is no new place. Although, having said that, the Explorer of the Seas is a new place for me so I decide to treat the ship as the destination. Life on a ship is different to life on land. You lose perspective. Everything you need to know is contained within this metal hull. You lose sense of time and even sense of the date. Luckily there is a reminder on the floor of every elevator of what day it is. (I don’t know who replaces them but they seem to be up to date even minutes after midnight.) Royal Caribbean clearly realises that cruise ships are more than transportation these days and they have decked out the whole vessel with things to do. Up top there is a putt putt course (from which I lose a ball somewhere overboard…), a surf machine called a Flow Rider and even a climbing wall. All of them are relatively empty for the days I am on the cruise because this trip is aimed at an older market. Now that it’s based in Australia and it becomes more of a family and party ship, I imagine this will be a popular. Of course there are pools and hot tubs, conveniently located close to bars and the self-serve ice cream machine (I swear someone filled up a pint glass and not a cone one time!). But these are standard fare on cruise ships these days. Explorer of the Seas takes the facilities even further – with an ice rink and a 3D cinema a few floors below. Some people choose not to use any of them, it seems. As I mentioned, the passengers on this trip are older than usual – mainly because of the length of the route In fact, about 900 of the 3000 passengers have come all the way from Southampton in the UK – more than two months at sea. So it makes sense that many people just spend their days sitting on a deckchair reading a book, doing crossword puzzles, or crocheting . But you can’t do that all the time and if the surf machine and the climbing wall aren’t your style… well, then there’s the social agenda! A chirpy blonde young British woman is reading out the answers to the evening’s trivia competition at one of the bars on level four. There are several trivia events each day and they each have a different theme. This one is ‘Eighties Music’. (I think it is referring to the decade, not the age of the participants.) The blonde compere reveals one of the answers from a musical question: “Yes, it’s ‘Land Down Under’ by Men at Work.” Someone quickly shoots up their hand, and shouts out even faster: “Excuse me. I think you’ll find that the correct name of the title is just ‘Down Under’, thank you very much!” Some people take their social events at sea very seriously. And fair enough – after all, there are some free Royal Caribbean pens on offer as a prize! Every evening a programme of events for the next day is delivered to your room and it’s an impressive collection of activities. There are the aforementioned trivia competitions and bingo games. There are lectures from experts and, interestingly, casual debates where people sit around one of the bars and are led through a discussion on a topic. (I’m amused, as I wander through the ship trying to find a good spot for wifi, that I stumble upon a debate going on in a pub about whether constantly being connected online is a good or a bad thing.) There are organised gatherings for people with different interests and even a regular lunch for those who are travelling solo, so they can get to know some of their fellow passengers. When I see groups of people sitting at tables around the ship playing cards together, I wonder whether they knew each other beforehand or met on board. If I had to bet, I would guess the latter. (Well, if I really had to bet, I would go to the casino – have I mentioned there’s one of them on the ship too?) One evening I meet an Australian woman who has been on several cruises but tells me this is her first one alone. She’s had a great time so far, though, and has made plenty of new friends. She’s alone right now, though, because she wanted to come and listen to the performer at one of the pubs. This singer/guitarist plays most nights and has a loyal following amongst the passengers. I can see why – when I come back the next night he has learned a couple of songs that I requested the previous evening that he didn’t then know. There’s no shortage of entertainment on Explorer of the Seas and different venues across the ship have singers, comedians, cabaret artists and dancers all throughout the day and well into the night. It’s impossible to see it all and, even within the one ship, you would feel lost if you tried. I do feel lost at first and, to get my bearings, I use the main eating area as a navigation point. (My room is down 6 floors on the right; the gym is on the 10 th level towards the front; the library is… oh, I don’t think I ever found the library.) My son’s cabin is in 8th floor. It makes sense to use this restaurant as a constant reference because I am there constantly. One of the things I love about being on a ship is I don’t have to go out in search of food three times a day (as I usually do when travelling on land). I know that when I’m hungry, all I have to do is walk in to Windjammers (as it’s called) and there will be a buffet selection to choose from. Oh well, I had two breakfasts as well so I might as well just succumb to cruising life and keep on eating. I imagine it would get a bit tiresome to go to the buffet three times a day (or more, if you’re like me) if you’re on a long cruise. Which is why there are a few other options on board. There is a more formal restaurant spread over three levels where you will be served courses at your table, rather than having to go up to the buffet. The food is of a similar quality (very good, I must say) and I feel that you would come here for a change of scenery and style, more than anything else. But there are also new dining experiences that have been added to Explorer of the Seas that I think are pretty impressive. I try out three high-end restaurants during the time I’m on the ship. First there’s the steak restaurant where the meat is cooked perfectly, there’s the Italian restaurant where (like most Italian meals) there’s much more than I can finish eating, and then the Japanese restaurant with fantastic sushi and sashimi. (When the ship lurches a bit while at dinner, I joke with my travel companions that we just hit a whale and it’ll be on the table soon. I am sure the waiter laughs and then looks nervously at the kitchen!) The meals at Windjammers and the other main dining room and free (well, included in the cruise ticket), but these other restaurants have an extra cost. At the Japanese restaurant, you pay by the item – but the other two have a fixed extra cost (about US$25-$30) and then you can order as much as you want from the menu. Ultimately it’s this variety on the ship that we find so pleasurable during the cruise. Oh, and we also like the familiarity and routine. I guess it’s that combination. When you don’t want to think, you don’t have to. You can wander up to get food without making a decision, you can sit by the pool and read a book, you can find the guitarist at the same pub doing the songs you asked for the night before. You don’t even have to choose new requests! But when you get a little bored or feel like doing something fresh, there are always plenty of options available to you. The mind can be challenged at trivia or at a debate; the body can be invigorated climbing up a wall or on a surf machine; social skills can be put to good use with new friends. Jai lord Shri Jaganath.

 

Radha Madhav Dham is the largest Hindu temple and ashram complex in the United States. With the Gracious blessing of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj (Shree Maharajji), Radha Madhav Dham was established in 1990 as the main U.S. center of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat. Radha Madhav Dham is situated on a picturesque 220-acre property in the Hill Country south of Austin, Texas. The rolling land, blanketed by wildflowers in the spring, and beautified by the meandering stream Kalindi, rises to the highest point in Hays County at the top of Barsana Hill. The temple and ashram buildings are surrounded by charming gardens, walking paths, fountains and ponds. The many peacocks add a flourish of iridescent color to the surroundings, and their calls echo across the fields as they announce themselves to all passers-by. The delightful landscape lends itself to leisurely walks and meditation in its secluded holy places. Designed as a representation of the holy land of Braj in India where Shree Radha Rani and Shree Krishna appeared about 5,000 years ago, all the important holy places of Braj like Govardhan, Radha Kund, Prem Sarovar, Shyam Kuti and Mor Kuti are represented in Radha Madhav Dham, where the natural stream, named Kalindi, represents the Yamuna river of Vrindaban. Anyone who visits Radha Madhav Dham experiences the same Divine serenity that was found in the ancient ashrams of the Saints of Vrindaban. It has become a place of pilgrimage for millions of devotees living in the western world. The centerpiece of Radha Madhav Dham is Shree Raseshwari Radha Rani Temple. This temple, with its magnificent architecture and exquisitely designed shrine with elegantly decorated Deities of Radha and Krishna, is the only temple in the world that represents the true nikunj darshan of Radha Krishna as described in the Radhikopnishad and the writings of the Great Masters of Vrindaban. Sitting in such a temple, while chanting the names of Radha Krishna during satsang, gives a thrill of bhakti that must be experienced. Every year, over 50,000 people visit Radha Madhav Dham. There is a unique accommodations where overnight guests stay and take part in the delicious vegetarian meals. Many make use of the rental facilities for family events and private functions. Many come back again and again to enjoy the devotional living experience that Radha Madhav Dham provides. Radha Madhav Dham (Barsana Dham), was established in 1990, as the main US Center of the International Society of Divine Love, which was founded in the 1970s. Radha Madhav Dham was built to be a representation of the holy land of Braj in India where Radha and Krishna are believed by Hindus to have appeared, around 5,000 years ago. It has been designed as a place of pilgrimage in America.Areas of Radha Madhav Dham have been developed to be the places for meditation. Places of Braj like Govardhan, Radha Kund, Prem Sarovar, Shyam Kuti, etc. are represented in Radha Madhav Dham where a natural stream named Kalindi represents the Yamuna river of Vrindaban.( by Lokanath Mishra)