Heritage

Legend has it that Choudwar was the capital city of King Virata who ruled over the ‘Matshya Desha’ in ‘Dwapara Yuga’. He had constructed a grand palace at the centre of his capital. Besides, he was instrumental in building eight temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in the capital city. The shrines were popularly known as Chateswar, Bateswar, Kedareswar, Uttareswar, Maninageswar, Balunkeswar, Kapaleswar and Jhoteswar temples.

Researchers say these little-studied structures, which can stretch for up to 50 meters and last for hundreds of years, could help our cities adapt to rising temperatures associated with the climate crisis.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has started the restoration of five pagodas in Bagan’s ancient cultural zone, the Archaeology and National Museum Department in Bagan said in a statement.

Sudarshan Chakra meaning “one that has auspicious vision.” Sudarshan Chakra is composed of two Sanskrit words, “Su” + “Darshana” meaning auspicious (Su) vision (Darshana). The word Chakra is derived from ‘chruhu’ meaning movement and ‘kruhu’ meaning to do. Chakra means that which is movement. It was created by the combined energy of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara.

The name Agnihotra gained widespread attention soon after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984 when it was found that four or five families living near the Bhopal railway station remained unaffected by the poisonous gas that surrounds them. Seeing the inevitable staring at them the families decided to stay back and do Agnihotra Homa. And wonder of wonders they were the sole survivors in that part of the city affected by the leaking gas.