Paradigm@hue: Ride In Search of Ancient Temples

Place Name: Magadi

Distance from Bangalore: approx 40-50 KM from Majestic

Route: Vijayanagara Tolgate, Magadi road

Duration: Half day Trip

Road Condition: Good

Best time to visit: October to Feb
Eateries : No eateries available on the way .. small hotels are available.

It was 4 months of projects, back to back, and all weekends were pre-occupied, with no room for leisure. The prolonged working hours and project deadlines was making me feel sick and I really longed for a break. Though the time constraint did not permit me to plan for a long trip, a half day trip was definitely feasible. In pursuit of looking for places around, idea struck me - to explore the ancient temples around Bangalore. I had heard of the "Pachima murthy Ranganatha swamy temple" near Magadi, and was eager to explore it. Also, since it was closer to my residence, I zeroed in on this visit to the temple. I roped in my friends but unfortunately, they coud'nt make it due to other commitments. It was a sunny morning but the trees along the path made the ride a pleasant one. I reached the destination by 10 a.m. Though the 1st glimpse of the temple didn’t strike to me that this temple belonged to chola dynasty. As I paved my way through, I was marveled at the architecture. I had a good darshan of the main deity and the temple was less crowded. I enquired on the history of the temple with the local priest and took the necessary permission from the authorities to capture the pictures. I also got to know that there was another temple in the vicinity, called the “Prassana someshwara temple”. I rode to my next destination, equipped with the whereabouts of the place. Interestingly the temple is open only on Mondays and Thursdays. As I entered the temple a sense of tranquility gripped me. The main deity was resplendent with all the grandeur. I loved the temple of Bramarambika and the Satyanarayana idols. The place seemed a perfect spot for meditation. As I moved around the "Kempegowda hajara"(Kempe gowda hall) and also " Kempegowda judgement place” made my imagination run through the chronicles of history. An old pulley caught my attention. It was made of hard iron that is rarely found these days. Also, the pulley had bends which showed that the well had been extensively used by the people.

I went around the place capturing the details on the camera. As I rode back, I went past the Swaymboo Ganesha temple, which is 31 year old and the Tippagondanahalli dam which is also called Chamarajasagar located at the confluence of Arkavathy river and Kumudavathi River. It was built way back in 1933 by Sir M V, one of the magnificent Engineer works till date. This is one of the man made reservoir, which pumps drinking water for most parts of Bangalore.

With a feeling of contentment and rejoice of exploring the ancient temple, I rode back home with the memories of Magadi lingering in my mind and heart.

Few pics of my ride below