Context: Recently, Places seen in the news.
International
Cook Island
Why In the News?
The leader of the Pacific Island nation, Mark Brown, made his country’s first-ever state visit to Beijing to sign the agreement.
About
- The Cook Islands is a self-governing island state in free association with New Zealand, located in the South Pacific Ocean.
- It consists of 15 small atolls and islands, covering a total land area similar to a medium-sized city.
- The islands are situated in the center of the Polynesian Triangle – about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand.
- The Cook Islands are located to the east of Niue, Tonga, and Samoa; to the northeast of New Zealand; to the south of Kiribati, and to the west of French Polynesia.
National
Why in the News?
A Rapid Faunal Survey is being conducted in Palamau Tiger Reserve to identify micro and small animals, helping assess animal diversity and inform future planning.
Palamau Tiger Reserve
About
- Location: It is located in the western part of the Chotanagpur plateau and is spread over two districts, viz, Latehar and Garhwa of Jharkhand.
- The terrain is undulating with valleys, hills and plains.
- The area is very rich in minerals like Bauxite and Coal.
- It was part of India’s first nine tiger reserves which were declared after the Union Government launched Project Tiger in 1973.
- Rivers: Three rivers namely North Koyal, Auranga and Burha flow through the valleys.
- Palamau Tiger Reserve is connected to Sanjay Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh and extends to Panna Tiger Reserve through corridor forests in Chhattisgarh’s Balrampur, Surajpur, and Surguja districts.
Vegetation:
- Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Sal forests, with smaller patches of Moist Deciduous forests.
- Flora: Notable plant species include Phoenix sylvestris along streams and associates like Butea, Carissa, and Capparis.
- Fauna: The reserve hosts diverse fauna, including Tigers, Asiatic Elephants, Leopards, Wild Dogs, Gaur, Sloth Bears, and Four-horned Antelopes, with 39 mammals, 170 birds, and 8 reptile species.
Jagannath Temple
Why in the News?
A day before the second ODI against England, three Indian cricket team players visited the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
About Temple
Jagannath Puri, the heart of Odisha, is recognized as the most sacred site on India’s east coast located by the Bay of Bengal to the east.
- The temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri is a living vibrant temple.
- The construction of the present temple began under King Anantabarman Chodaganga Dev (Eastern Ganga dynasty) in the mid-11th century and was completed during King Anangabhima Dev III’s reign in the early 12th century.
- Primary deities worshipped here are Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balabhadra, and his sister Goddess Subhadra.
- It is one of the Chardham Temples and is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Architecture of the Temple:
- The temple is built in the distinctive Kalinga architectural style, which blends elements from both Dravida (South Indian) and Nagara (North Indian) styles. This fusion includes the tri-ratha design from the 6th and 7th centuries.
Types of Temple Structures:
- Rekha Deula: Characterized by a curvy spire on top and a square sanctum below.
- Bhadra or Pidha Deula: Features a pyramidal roof with receding steps.
- Khakhara Deula: a rectangular building with a barrel-vaulted roof
Temple Layout and Features:
- The sanctum is the main part of the temple.
- In front of the sanctum, a porch called Jagamohana is added, followed by additional structures such as Nata Mandira (dance hall) and Bhoga Mandapa (hall for offerings) arranged along the same axial line.
- The Jagamohana is pyramid-shaped with a square base, rising step by step.
- The Viman has a square base with a circular upper part that leads to the Sikhara (spire).
- The Viman is divided into five parts, showcasing the curvilinear Rekha Deula structure.
- The Pabhaga has five subdivisions, with Amalakasila and Kalasa on top for balance.
Materials and Craftsmanship:
- The temple is primarily constructed from sandstone and laterite.
- The Neelachakra (blue wheel) at the top of the temple is crafted from Ashtadhatu, an alloy of eight metals.