"A Historical Place Let's Travel"
#SITABINJ :- Myth that Maa Sita used this place as a shelter when she was deserted by Lord Rama. Sita Maa gave birth to Luv and Kush at this place.
A small temple (actually a mud and brick structure) with the carved stone idols of Maa Sita and her two sons is located between a natural cavity formed by two seemingly perilous, humongous boulders perched against each other at different angles.
#Sitabinji_Fresco_Painting and Rock Inscription
Sitabinji Fresco Painting & Rock Inscription is located on the side of holy Sita river in a beautiful natural ambience encircled with sprawling mountain rangse. A magnificent stone looks like a temple stands in country yard with a height of approx. 150 feet high which is considered as a major attraction of the spot. Maa Sita Thakurani is the presiding goddess of the pitha along with her two sons Laba & Kusha worshipped under a mammoth stone like temple structures from time immemorial. The famous ancient fresco painting on a rock shelter called Ravan Chahaya is looking like a half opened umbrella which depicts the legendary battle of Lord Rama & Ravana. A series of rock inscriptions are also found nearby the spot is still not interpreted by the modern historians. A great civilization was flourished once upon a time as bricks & other antiques are earthen at the site. The latest remainings of the vestige of the history corroborates that of the golden era of Gupta period of India. This spot is just 25 km away from Keonjhar town.
#Ravana_Chaya
Perhaps the most famous structure in Sitabinji is the rock of Ravana Chaya (Shadow of Ravana). Again typical to this mysterious place, two gigantic granite boulders are lounged against each other creating a triangular crevice which is 6.7 m in height and 4.7 m in depth. It would seem that the two boulders were deliberately stacked in such a unique manner to preserve precious artwork for centuries to come.
May be the demon king Ravana, the king of Lanka, famous for his celestial powers, had a hand in this. Standing tall at about 22 feet above the ground, the main rock (in the shape of a half-closed umbrella) is situated on top of another boulder.
#Tempera_Paintings
Dating back to 7th century BC, the paintings in the rock shelter of Ravana Chaya were created using the tempera technique. The rough granite surface was smoothened with the help of thin layer of lime, before applying the quick drying colours synonymous to tempera paintings. Spread across 1000 sq.cm, the paintings do not show any links to religious artwork.
It portrays an imperial figure with a sword, sitting on top of an elephant probably in a royal procession. A number of followers escort the procession on foot, along with women who seem to be dancing with a few accompanying horsemen. Rarely the sun rays penetrate the dense canopy surrounding the rocky structure, but when it does, it illuminates the centuries old fresco paintings giving a clear view of the entire “canvas”, a testament to the artistic endeavor in those times. Some historians also believe that this location was used as a royal retreat while hunting.
