Glimpse of 12-14th century the old temple

Place Name: NayakanaHatti

Distance from Bangalore: approx 260 KM from Majestic

Route: Via Nelamangala, Tumkur, Sira, Hiriyur, Challakere

Duration: 2 day Trip

Road Condition: Good

Best time to visit: Any time during the year

Travel – being my favorite pastime, gave me the opportunity during the winter vacation. My visit to Challakere paved way to re-visit the 14^th century ancient temple, 20 kms away. On reaching Challakere, I took a local bus to reach Nayakanahatti. The journey was a good experience, with people from different facets of life. The bus traverses through dry places with few stops on the way. As I headed towards my destination, twilight of the setting sun marked the resounding silence of the temple. The temple was less crowded, being a weekday. The fascinating history of the temple, retold by the priest and the manager captivated my attention. It is said that saint Thipperudraswamy came to this place in 1300 A.D, and is said to have developed 5 villages in and around the place and also built a well-designed water reservoir, which can hold water levels with greater tenacity. The well laid road which is equivalent to the roads laid using the current technology is worth appreciating. It is also told that the saint Thipperudraswamy believed in " kayakave kailasa..needidastu needu bikshe"(meaning.. work is worship and pay for what u deserve)is engraved at the entrance. The saint is believed to have magical powers too. It is said that while he was constructing the reservoir, he told the workers to make a sand dunes, in which he put his stick and paid them what they deserved based on the work that they have contributed for the day. It is said that there was a pregnant worker, who got one and half times the amount as her remuneration. Saint Thipperudraswamy justified that as the kid also worked with the mother. The practice exists even today in the place that a pregnant woman gets one and half times the renumeration for any work that they do. History also records that king Hyder Ali visited this place craving for a kid (heir to the throne). His prayers were answered when he was blessed with a brave Tippu Sultan as his baby. Even today, it is believed that newly married couples who performs the "thutaloo seva" (cradle seva) are blessed with a baby. Even couples craving for a baby are blessed with one on performing the seva. On the day of phalguna masa Thipperudraswamy is said to have been buried alive as per his wishes. There is a car festival organized every year in the memory of the famous saint, which is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety. Around 2 L people attend the same.  

Below are some of the pics that I have captured during my visit. 

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The front view

painting on the walls

Carving in ceiling

kurma avatar

spectacular carving

observe just with ppl carving it resembels Elephant

Never judge the book by its cover

In a village, there was a Pundit. He was well-versed in all scriptures. He knew everything, but, he was poor. He did not have a house to live. He used to get his meals also with great difficulties. Even his clothes were worn out.

The Pundit used to beg for his meals. He went from house-to-house begging. “Please give me alms”. On seeing his old clothes many people were thinking that he is mad, saying “Go Away” they shut the door. For many days he did not even eat.

One day, he obtained new clothes. A rich man gave those clothes to the Pundit. Wearing those new clothes he went to beg as before. To the very first house he went, the householder said, “Sir, please come in. Please have your food in our house”. Saying this, with great respect, he took the Pundit inside for food.

The Pundit sat down to eat. Varieties of soups, sweet meals, vadas, and sweet foods were served for eating.

Having prayed first, the Pundit took a sweetmeat with his hand and began to feed his new clothes saying, “Eat, eat!”

On seeing that all the householders were surprised and were not able to understand. So, they asked thus, “The clothes do not eat right? Then why, O, Great Pundit, do you offer food to the clothes?”

Then that Pundit answered thus, “Indeed because of these new clothes, you offered me food today. Yesterday itself in this very house you asked me to go away. Since I obtained food due to these clothes, I am grateful to them. That’s the reason I am feeding them.” The householders were a little ashamed.

Moral: Never judge anyone by their outlook.

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Belur - Heaven of Carvings - Pride of the Hoysala Dynasty

Place Name: Belur

Distance from Bangalore: approx 200 KM from Majestic

Route: Via Nelamangala, Mangalore route, go till Hassan and take Chikmagalur route

Duration: 1 day Trip

Road Condition: Good

Best time to visit: Any time during the year (Tuesday would be a better day for good photography)

My frequent visits to Hassan  gave me the opportunity to visit Belur and capture the world’s best carvings. The threatening cyclonic weather was posing a challenge for the visit. However the mild showers and the moderate weather gave me the perfect day for photography. Reaching Belur, I headed towards the very famous Channakeshava temple. The resplendent beauty of the temple reflects through the Gopuram (Entrance of the temple).  Upon entering the temple, one can enquire about the guides and engage one, to know more about the interesting history of the temple.

Historians have recorded that Belur was the early capital of Hoysala dynasty. This temple is believed to be one of the finest example of Hosyala Architecture. This was built by King Vishnuvardhana in commemoration of his victory over the Cholas at Talakad in 1117 AD. The grandson of Vishnuvardhana, Veera Ballala II complete the task of building the temple. The splendid architecture took 103 years to be completed. The temple is alluring with intricate carvings and beautiful sculptures and friezes with no portion left blank. The intricate workmanship include Elephants(symbolizing the strength), Lions(symbol of bravery), Horse(symbol of speed). One can also notice the depiction of the Mahabharata and Ramayana epics on the walls of the temple. The carvings of the sensuous dancers(Shilabalikas) captivates the heart. There are 40 odd shilabalikas carvings and each one is distinct from the other. It is  The spectacular expression on the face of the Shilabalikas is noticeable.  The temple is rich with the age old traditions and is also vaastu compliant. The temple is built in a typical star formation which helps to accommodate lot of sculptors, form a firm grip to the complete temple, and the star represents the Shri Chakra formation.

There is 600 odd carvings of elephants around the temple which is different in action. It is said that these carvings of the temple is an inspiration for the Aksharadhama Temple (New Delhi). 

There is a Rangastal inside the sanctorum of the temple, where it is believed that the queen Shantaladevi (wife of Vishnuvardhana) presented her dance before the lord. There are many ornate pillars which is unique in designs and style. The famous carving of the  Darpana Sundari (Lady with Mirror) is major attraction and is believed to be inspired by the queen herself.

History believes that the carvings in the temple was under the guidance of Maha shilpi Jakanachari. (Legend says that Dankanachari (son of Jakanachari) found that the main statue of Lord Vishnu was faulty and had frog inside it. Jakana, was shocked to believe this, cut his right hand when it was proved. He vowed to build the other temple and contemplated the task. The old temple is known as Kappechennigaraayas temple.). An interesting feature that one can notice is that one of the pillar which houses almost all the carvings around the temple. It is said that this pillar was built on bearing system and was rotating. However, due to lightning which struck, this cannot be noticed now. The pillars inside are magnificently carved with all different designs. The main Santorum of the temple has the main deity of 12foot long Chennakeshava idol of 8ft which is housed on 4ft of base. The Chennakeshva idol is mesmerizing. The sculptors have taken care to ensure the adequate aeration inside the temple. On a close observation, you can notice that the temple is built on lock and key fashion. The ceiling is fantastically carved with "Ugranarsimha" in the Center.

The depiction of the multistorey building has also been carved ,where you see the space that is been left out in balcony. Sand stone has been used for the sculptures which is said to have been bought from Tumkur. There is one shilabalki inside whose bangle is been sculpted so well, that the bangle can be moved even today. I have tried to capture it with flash and I’m able to see the gap between the hand and the bangle .

Belur is so magnificently built and I see this has the heaven of carvings. I spent almost 3 hours in Belur knowing and exploring the sculptures and have always returned with the state of contentment and appreciating the work of all the sculptors for the wonderful craftsman ship.

Few pics below 

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