Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Dhauli - There was never a good war or a bad peace.

Dhauligiri is located on the banks of the river Daya, around 10 km away from the city of Bhubaneswar. One of the quietest place I have ever visited so far. It helped me knowing many hidden things from the past and a quick scan through the pages from the history is just good enough to learn the importance of this place. I was surprised by the reasons behind the beginning, the end and there after the transformation of a war to a lead ways to peace, that untimely changed the views of King Ashoka as he renounced his sword after the Kalinga war probably in 261 BC.

A sign board indicating the way to Dhauli, from Bhubaneswar - Puri Highway you need to take a right turn and travel around 3.2 K.Ms on the hills to reach near the Shanti Stupa. For more detail information do click here.

Vishwa Shanti Stupa, the Peace Pagoda at the top of Dhauli Hill was built by Indo Japanese collaboration in 1972. The shining white structure is built in the form of a massive dome with lotus petals as its crown. The five chhatris (umbrellas) placed on its flattened top represent the five important aspects of Buddhism.

The War memorial. Not exactly what was written on there, Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. - Buddha

Rock edicts of Asoka

It was a bright sunny day, and I decided to walk alone, never did I realize that I would be witnessing one of the amazing trekking experiences, in a peaceful and serene environment, and yet again a different kind of exploration for me. It wasn't the first time I was there but perhaps the first time holding the clock all by myself and identifying that life can't be an empty promise. Every war made an entry to the history has shown people many paths, what is called searching for the life and in the end the peace without any terms & conditions. So does that mean somewhere a war’s ultimate destination is peace? Sometimes its better not to understand things, however, rather easy to forget them while trying to simplify it with many unknown questions of life, and as said there is no way to peace, but peace is the way. I believe it has the power of a miracle transformation.

19 comments:

Prashant Sree said...

Rightly said Alok... Trekking in such a serene place is indeed a bliss.

Iam happy that you were able to experience that... Its a bit irony that Mankind doesn't learns much from his past learnings, as a result, History repeats itself... We tend to see War as a fast solution to many issues, where in the real way would have been the peaceful way..

Anwesa said...

yes indeed,1 doesn't need understand evrythin,i'v been 2 d place many tyms,n wat i can see is peace..n only peace..

Lakshmi said...

liked your title..every war doesnt end in peace..its only a short term truce that leads to the next war ..

~vagabond~ said...

I thoroughly enjoyed reading through this post...quite interesting. :)

Ravi Kumar said...

Nice post.. we used to visit this place so very often..are u from orissa.. i saw many posts from the place.. ananta vasudev is where I went too last week.. do u know bout chausath yogini temple.. i posted bout it..
http://lonebackpacker.blogspot.com/

alok said...

prashant sree, thanks for the comment. Yes! you are right - war as a solution? never did happen for anything, and it repeats.

alok said...

anwesa, yes! perhaps Dhuali is one of those few places where a war ultimate guided many people to follow the path leading to peace & only peace.

alok said...

lakshmi, thanks for the comment.

every war doesn’t end in peace... but many times they were meant for peace?

alok said...

vagabond, I am glad that you liked the post. Thanks for visiting ...

alok said...

Ravi Kumar, thanks for the comment and welcome to my blog. Hey, I checked your blogs they are wonderful.

Yes! "Mua ta khati odiya :)" Keep visiting .

Cuckoo said...

I was away for quite sometime, you know that. Don't you ? :)

But as usual I am in touch with my friends's posts thru reader so I had read it. :)

Never been to east India. This place looks well maintained and worth a visit. When I go that side, I'll ask you for guidance.

Thanks for sharing.

P.S.- Can you pls enable the Name/URL option for commenting ? This blogger id will take you to my old blog.

alok said...

Cuckoo, glad to see you back here. Hey, you need my guidance for east-india trip :) sure! that’s my pleasure.

P.S : now you can comment by name/url option.

Just call me 'A' said...

that what i like about India. so many unique places, some untapped and thankfully so. All beautiful in their own ways and so full of history, each with it's own meaning and interpretation.

GMG said...

Hi Alok! It’s always great when I have a chance to get here! Interesting text, nice pictures, great post!!
Now, are you interested in Tunisia? Blogtrotter has it now! ;)) Hope you enjoy! Have a great week!

alok said...

A, thanks for the comment. Hey, that’s what even I do feel; India is a mysterious place, so many places to visit, so many things to know - all beautiful in their own ways and so full of history, each with it's own meaning and interpretation. :)

alok said...

GMG, thank you so much for the comment ... I am glad that you like the blog :)

You too have a great week ahead and keep visiting

indicaspecies said...

Very interesting post Alok. Thanks!

alok said...

Celine, thank you!

Keep visiting

Anonymous said...

hey u have brought back my memories of my own trip to orissa. will blog about it someday.