India Visit 2022 - Exploring the world heritage sites

 

(Photo Courtesy: Odisha Tourism : Glimpses of Odisha)

This summer, my family and I took a trip to India, to the state of Odisha. Odisha is a part of Eastern India. This was our first trip to India in four years since my family and I last went in 2018. We usually go to India for family gatherings, but on this trip, we decided to see some relatives and several tourist sites. We were in India for around three weeks. We didn't accomplish much during the first week after going there because everyone in our family was jet-lagged. We spent most of our time on our phones and visited a few relatives. We saw several tourist spots after our jet lag subsided. 

Khandagiri and Udaygiri Caves: Hill of Rising son

We started by traveling to Khandagiri. Khandagiri is a 110-foot-tall hill that contains 15 caves. Udaygiri, situated adjacent to Khandagiri, has 18 caves. There are numerous Jain drawings in the caves built during the 1^st century BCE. These caves are popular tourist destinations and are crucial to Odisha's history because they provide the earliest proof that Jainism existed. King Kharavela built the caves as the living place of Jain monks. They also contain several inscriptions by the king.

Dhauligiri: Shanti Stupa or Peace pagoda

We traveled to Dhauli from Khandagiri. Dhauli peace monument sits on a lovely and quiet mountaintop. The peace monument was established in 1972 to commemorate King Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism to promote peace worldwide after the Kalinga war(261 B.C.). Asoka, the victorious king, became a Buddhist after seeing the devastation and pain after the war. Popular folklore mentions that the nearby Daya river was dyed red due to the massive number of deaths during the Kalinga war. 

Nandankanan Zoo – Home of White Tiger

We visited the Nandankanan Zoo after Dhauli. The Nandankanan Zoo has a large variety of species. White Tiger, one of the rarest creatures in the world, can be found here. In addition, this zoo houses lions, eagles, wolves, snakes, elephants, and crocodiles. 

Konark – The Sun Temple

We traveled to Konark to see the Sun Temple the next day. This temple was built in the 13^th century for the Hindu sun god "Surya". The original temple was created as a chariot of Sun God driven by twenty-four wheels and pulled by seven horses. The main temple has collapsed over the years; the only remains are the entrance to the temple. It features numerous intricate embellishments. Beautifully carved elephants, lions, and wheels may be seen at the temple's front and sides.

Puri -The abode of Lord Jagannath

The Jagannath temple in Puri was the last spot we visited. This temple is among the most well-known temples and tourist sites in India. The Hindu god Jagannath, often known as the Creator of the Universe, is honored in this temple. Other smaller temples are close to the Jagannath temple, while the main temple is the tallest at 214.8 feet. Puri also has a beautiful sea beach(the Bay of Bengal). We had a fun time on the beach! 

I had a great time on this trip because it was the first time I could explore Odisha fully and see it from various angles. I gained a lot of knowledge about the rich history of Odisha, as well as Buddhism and Jainism. Additionally, I got to view the local wildlife, and the vacation was generally a lot of fun. 

For further information:   Odisha Tourism : Visit Odisha | Travel & Tourism | Official Site

 

Key Club - My volunteering at Feed My Starving Children

Key Club is the largest group at my high school. Key Club organizes volunteer projects. Key Club offers a variety of service possibilities for students who cannot find volunteer projects outside of school. They outline upcoming events at school meetings, and you can sign up to attend them. 

I've participated in Feed My Starving Children events so far. Feed my Starving Children(FMSC) is a nonprofit organization that assists in packaging food for delivery to developing nations. One can help FMSC in many ways by raising funds or donations. In addition to giving monetary support, one can provide voluntary services. One can go there and assist in food packaging in their facility. I've joined three events this year and spent 5 hours and 30 minutes thus far.

I'm thinking about organizing extra activities for Key Club. The one that comes to me right now is an app that records your bike mileage. The number of miles will donate to a charitable organization/event. However, I will continue to join Feed My Starving Children events since I am so grateful that I can assist so many individuals in need.

My First Fundraising - Covenant House Sleep Out 2022

Covenant House Illinois(CHIL) is a Chicago nonprofit that aims to end youth homelessness. Covenant House's primary goal is to provide shelter to homeless youths. In addition, Covenant House provides them with skill training, legal and mental health services. They help the children to be self-reliant and get back to everyday life. Covenant House website: Homelessness | Covenant House Illinois | Chicago 

My father has volunteered his time to this nonprofit for the last three years. I have therefore been familiar with this organization for some time. Every year, a week before Thanksgiving, they do an Executive Sleep Out fundraising event. The Sleep Out objective, as mentioned on the CHIL website, is "The Sleep Out is not about impersonating homelessness. We Sleep Out to show our solidarity with those who are – and to let the world know about the ever-growing population of young people who face homelessness.". Link to the CHIL 2022 Sleep Out video: Sleep Out Chicago 2022 Video - YouTube

This year was my first time taking part in Covenant House Sleep Out. I went to the kickoff event with my father, which was a very humble experience. One of the youths who uses the CHIL facility was interviewed and shared his life journey. After the kickoff ceremony, I was grateful for what I had, but I was also inspired to lend a hand. My objective was to raise $500 using the fundraising page created by Covenant House. This was my first fundraising experience, and thanks to several generous friends and family members who helped me raise more than $600!! 

The Sleep Out event was on 17^th November 2022. Most of those who participated in the fundraising went to Chicago and slept outside in the freezing cold, wind, and snow. CHIL does not allow kids under 18 to sleep outside. Hence I decided to make myself uncomfortable and slept on our basement floor. This experience has made me aware of the awful realities of the world, but it has also made me aware of many individuals who are willing to help. I'll continue to support Covenant House Sleep Out beyond this year.