Kohima, Nagaland

Entrance Gate
Originally uploaded by sweetychap.

During World War II, the battle of Kohima was the turning point for the Allied forces. The engagement at Kohima and Imphal, was the first sign of Japanese loosing their initiative in their Burma campaign.

Kohima is the capital of Nagaland, one of the seven sister states of Eastern India. Nagaland shares its borders with Burma.

Bhubaneswar, Orissa

Bhubaneswar Priester doet inwijding 3 rand
Originally uploaded by strandloper.

Once the capital of ancient Kalinga Kingdom, Bhubaneswar is called The Temple City of India. Located on the east coast of India, the city has a population of over a million people. Bhubaneswar became the capital of the state of Orissa in 1948.

The famed Lingaraj Temple of old Bhubaneswar was built in the 11th century and forms an integral link in the Golden Triangle. The other two points are The Sun Temple of Konark and Jajannath Temple of Puri.

Puri, Orissa

ladies-Puri
Originally uploaded by kinginexile.

Located on the coast of Bay of Bengal, Puri is one of the oldest cities in the eastern part of India. The eleventh century Jajannath temple is the main attraction of the city in the State of Orissa.

Puri is also famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, or "Festival of Chariots", when the deities Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra are brought out of the temple, and placed in a chariot procession. This festival occurs on various dates of the Gregorian calendar, typically in the month of July.

Konark, Orissa

Wheel
Originally uploaded by chuhuicha.

Konark is a small temple town in the state of Orissa. The sun temple was built by King Narasimhadeva in the 13th century. Konark temple is one of the most important Brahman sanctuaries and is built in the form of a huge chariot. The huge Surya (sun god) chariot is drawn by seven horses on 12 pairs of very decorative wheels. The entrance is guarded by two lions.

Konark has a popular beach but the main attraction is the sun temple. The temple is now partly in ruins and so part of the collection of sculptures is housed in the Sun Temple Museum.

Cuttack, Orissa

A00159_034
Originally uploaded by amit_das007.

The warlike Keshari Dynasty founded a Kataka or "military camp" here in AD 989. In the 11th century, the Kesharis were again responsible for building the impressive granite embankment on the south bank of the island. Barabati Fort was added on the north bank in the 14th century. Two hundred years later, Orissa's last independent Hindu ruler, Mukunda Harichandan, built a much grander, nine-story palace on the same site. The Raja never had much of a chance to enjoy it however, as only eight years after his succession the Mughals and soon after, the Afghans of Bengal, annexed the city.

Cuttack is located in the eastern Indian state of Orissa around 30 km off Bhubaneswar. The former capital of Orissa and the oldest city in the region, Cuttack today is a bustling commercial center.