Bhubaneswar: Members from a delegation accompanying internationally acclaimed Odissi exponent Ramli Ibrahim, three senior officials from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and an Italian traveller were among the guests at the heritage trail from Mukteswar Temple despite early December chills.
Pam Stuper from the US, Maureen Craig from the Trinidad and Tobago and Zambian Hazel Kennedy are executive board members of the FIH and part of the delegation for the ongoing Men's Hockey World League Final at Kalinga Stadium. And all of them sang praises of the city's monuments, and mentioned the people, hospitality and the helping nature of local residents. Pennsylvania-born Stuper, said: "Though this is my first visit to Odisha, I am overwhelmed by its hospitality. The heritage tour is very educative as we came to know about the history and unique temple-building style.''
Craig and Kennedy also enjoyed the walk and patiently listened to the tour guide.
Mazlan Othman, an astrophysics teacher at the National University of Malaysia, was also part of the tour.
He said: "The city's heritage is so beautiful and reminds me of Indonesian heritage in which there is an impression of ancient Kalingan craftsmanship. We need to explore the ancient trade link between these two regions.''
Art and culture expert Kiran Vyas said: "The modern monuments of the US and Europe are a couple of hundred years old, but we have such old structures in Bhubaneswar. We should preserve it so that more visitors come here to explore these and make these popular across the globe.''
The cultural team from Malaysia, besides dancers, includes people from various fields and are here to experience Indian culture. Nineteen people from the team visited the 51st Ekamra Walks. They will see the Konark Dance Festival and the International Sand Art Festival.
John Cheah, a member of the group, was delighted with the stone carvings on the ancient temples.
Jennifer Harrison, a media studies student in Goa, walked the entire 2km stretch despite suffering from pain in her leg following an accident.
"I loved the company of my mother and the fellow walkers so much that I forgot my pain. I always hear about this experience from my mom and wanted to explore it despite my temporary trouble,'' she said.
