Kaudias (Odia: କାଉଡ଼ିଆ) are referred to the Shiva devotees who offer holy water on Shiva Linga on the Mondays of Sravan Somvar. We also call then Kaudi Bala (Odia: କାଉଡ଼ି ବାଲା).

According to Ramayan, Ravan had worshiped Lord Shiva by bringing holy water from Ganga and all he walked in bare feet to offer that puja.

He did that Puja on Shrabana Somabara, and Lord Shiva pleased with him and pour him blessings. For that reason, devotees take water from holy rivers and walk in bare feet to the nearest Shiva Linga to offer Puja.

Who offers this puja, never eat any non-veg items, onion, and garlic through the month of Sravan. They use to take water from some river by doing puja there and then, offer that water with Panchamruta Bhoga, the favorite Bhoga of Lord Shiba.

Nilamadhava Temple (Odia: ନୀଳ ମାଧବ ମନ୍ଦିର, କଣ୍ଟିଲୋ) is very old and famous Vishnu temple in Odisha. This temple is situated near to the bank of Mahanadi, in Kantilo. This temple is present near to the twin hills with the surrounding forest.

The natural attraction of the spot is a permanent flow of holy water from the feet of Lord Nilamadhava. Another highlight of the place is the presence of Lord Siddheswar.

Lord Nilamadhav occupies a central position in the cult of Lord Jagannath. Even now also Lord Nilamadhava shrine is present on the right side of Lakshmi temple in Puri Jagannath Temple.

We Indians enjoy all the seasons and Monsoon is the season which is the loveliest one. In this season, the Earth becomes greeny. Since this season brings the opportunity for cultivation, most of us love this one.

In Odia, there is a poem Barsha, where the poet describes the problem happening with the people because of summer and how nature feels that and calls the rain to the earth. Here are some lines of that poem below.

And with the rain, we are sharing some beautiful photos of the season clicked by our friend Liman sir. He had shared all these photos on his Twitter Timeline and we have published here with all his permission.

* All photo rights are reserved to Liman Sir.

* Before publishing all these photos anywhere, please take his permission.

Chhatia Bata located in Jajpur district, Odisha is one of the most historical places in Odisha. It is situated at a distance of around 30 kilometers from the city of Cuttack. Chhatia is also considered as a major pilgrimage center because of the presence of the temple of Lord Jagannath.

The temple is a superb example of modern Orissa architecture. The walls of the temple bear intricate carvings dedicated to the lord. It is associated with the Kalki avatar of Lord Vishnu.

People do have a belief that the Sage Hadidas who wrote Malika has his Samadhi there. Legends speak about Kalki shall come here to receive the sword Nandaka from Vaikuntha in a secret place inside the sanctum. Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are present in the manner described, not like the Devi Subhadra in the middle. Priest of the temple says one day the Lord will leave Sriketra, Puri, and come to Chhatia. Predictions are there about Puri will get submerged into the water because of global warming and subsequent rise of water level in the Bay of Bengal. Achyutananda Das, a 15th-century saint of Orissa, had written about the arrival of the Lord in his famous book known as "Achutananda Malika".

Prediction speaks about the Lord Jagannath Dham, Puri submerged into water and it's being said about the doomsday coming to near and its beginning of the Satyajog and end of Kalyug and the cycle continues.

Chhatia Dham is said to be the second home of Lord Jagannath after Puri People believe that one day Jagannath will come along with his brother and sister and allocate in Chhatia.

So keeping a look at this day construction work is still going on because no one knows when the Lord will arrive. Preist Satyanada says, only when the Lord arrives, construction work in the temple will be stopped.

Jay Jagannath...

* This blog is written by Amarnath Patra and all photographs are taken by him.

* All photo rights are reserved to the original photographer.

* We have published this blog with his permission and before publishing anywhere any using these photos, you have to take the permission of the Author.

Ratha Jatra, the Festival of Chariot: Chariots of Shri Jagannath is celebrated every year at Puri, the temple town in Odisha, on the second (Dwitiya) day of Shukla Paksha (waxing cycle of the moon) of Ashadha Maasa (3rd month in Lunar Calendar).

The presiding deities of the Jagannath Temple, Puri's main temple, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, with the celestial wheel (Sudarshana Chakra/ସୁଦର୍ଶନ ଚକ୍ର), come from the temple in a ceremonial procession to their chariots.

The huge, colorfully decorated chariots are drawn by a multitude of devotees on the Badadanda, the grand avenue to the Gundicha Temple (Gundicha – King Indradyumna's Queen), two miles away to the North. 

Content Source: Wikipedia

Photo Source: SJTA Puri

N.B.: All these photos are taken from the Official Twitter Account of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri. Though this handle is not licensed in creative commons license, we are using this for informatical use only and yes with all credits.