Bhubaneswar: On the eve of Christmas, visitors from far away Manila in Philippines, senior officials from Bhubaneswar Military Station of Territorial Army and several others joined Ekamra Walks – the first weekly guided heritage tour of the city – Sunday and explored the rich heritage and Kalingan temple architecture in the old city area.
The four visitors from Philippines included poet and radio broadcaster Kooky Tuason; poet and percussionist Marty Tengco; poet, musician and singer Jing Jorge and journalist Rome Jorge, who had come to Bhubaneswar to take part in the Mystic Kalinga Literary Festival that concluded Saturday.
All the four Filipinos, who had extended their stay in the city to take part in the Sunday heritage walk, were enthralled to witness the finest carvings on stones and vivid temple architecture in different iconic temples and monuments in old Bhubaneswar.
“We have been truly lucky and fortunate to have participated in such a nicely structured heritage tour covering ample number of ancient temples and monuments spanning thousands of years,” said Filipino journalist Rome Jorge. The concept behind the medicinal plant garden Ekamra Van is wonderful, while the beautiful Odissi dance performances at the end of the walk was truly befitting the memorable walk, he added. The other visitors included a team of senior defence personnel from Bhubaneswar Military Station including the Commanding Officer of 120 Battalion Col. Jacob Freeman, who had come to the walk with his family and Lt. Col. Gopi, Admin Commandant of Bhubaneswar Military Station.
In all 45 heritage enthusiasts, including children, visited the heritage sites such as the Mukteswar, Parsurameswar, Kotitirtheswar, Ananta Vasudev, Lingaraj, Chitrakarini, Sari Deula, Mohini, Vaital temples and Bharti Mutt, Old Dharamsala, Bindusagar tank and wound up the trip after visiting the unique medicinal plant garden, Ekamra Van, which has over 220 varieties of medicinal herbs.
PNN