PattadakalPattadakal (22 km from Aihole): It was the commemorative site for the Chalukyan rulers from the 7th to 9th centuries A D . The temples here include Kada Siddeswara, Jambulinga, Sangameswara, Mallikarjuna, Virupaksha and Papanatha.
Koodalasangama (45 km from Aihole) : This important pilgrim centre is situated at the confluence of the Malaprabha and Krishna rivers. The Siva temple here is dedicated to Lord Sangameswara. In the temple complex, there are images of Basaveshwara, his consort Neelamma, Nandi and Ganesha.
Temples in Dharwad district:
This district boasts of a few major shrines, built in the 12th century by Kalyani Chalukyas and Vijayanagar rulers. These include Doddabasappa temple at Dambala (75 km from Dharwad); Someshwara temple at Lakshmeshwar (65 km); Nageshwara temple at Bankapura (30 km); Trikuteshwara temple at Gadag (75 km); Siddhadeva temple at Haveri (90 km); Adikeshava temple at Kaginelli (14 km from Haveri - the deity here was installed by saint Kanakadasa); Mallari temple at Gudda Guddaapura (5 km from Devaragudda station); Jain temple at Lakkundi.
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Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Aihole
 This was the capital of early Chalukyas (6th to 8th centuries A D) . Situated on the banks of Malaprabha river, Aihole is well known as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture. There are about 125 temples divided into 22 groups. Temples of Durga, Ladh Khan, Gowda, Suryanarayana, Konti and Ramalinga Swamy are some of the important ones. Aihole is 34 km from Bagalkot. |
Hampi
Founded by Harihara and Bukka in the early 13th century, Hampi was the famous capital of Vijayanagar rulers for two centuries. Once a showpiece of might and wealth, the city was ransacked in 1565 AD by invading Muslim rulers. The sacred Tungabhadra river flows through this vast terrain. The Hampi ruins, spread over 26 sq km, include many temples and remnants of palaces and other buildings. Hampi hills are associated with Ramayana. Sri Rama had first met Sugriva and Hanuman in the Matanga hill. The Sugriva cave, Kodandaramaswamy temple and Ragunathaswamy temple at Malyavantha hill stand testimony to these events.
Virupaksha temple: Lord Siva is worshipped here as Virupaksheswara or Pampapathy. His consort Pampa, Brahma's daughter, is associated with river Tungabhadra. Devi Bhuvaneswari is worshipped in an ornate shrine. Sri Vidyaranya, Guru of the Vijayanagar empire, had worshipped the Goddess and was blessed with immense wealth, which he lavished for enriching the empire. The Brindavanam of Vidyaranya and a Madhwa Mutt are behind this temple.
The eastern tower of the temple was built during the period of Krishnadevaraya. The architecture is such that an inverted shadow of the gopuram falls on the western wall through a small hole behind the sanctum.
Festivals:
The car festival in February and the divine wedding of Virupaksha and Pampa in December are important festivals.
There is a mandapam dedicated to Sri Purandaradasa on the banks of Tungabhadra. An annual music festival is held during Jan-Feb in honour of the saint composer.
Situated nearby are Sugriva cave, Vyasarajaswamy Mutt, Kothandaramaswamy temple and a temple of Hanuman, whose deity was installed by Vyasaraja. He is known as Yanthro Tharaka Anjaneya. The holy Chakra Theertham is situated near the Kothandaramaswamy temple.
Monolithic Yoga Narasimha and Ganeshas are other noteworthy sculptures. Hazara Rama, Vittala and Krishna temples are known for their sculptural wealth but in ruins.
Nava Brindavanam: Nine Brindavanams of Madhwa swamijis are situated in an islet formed in the Tungabhadra river. This place can be reached from Anekunti, the other side of Hampi.
Access :
The nearest railhead is Hospet (13 km); Aihole 156 km; Badami 189 km; Bangalore 373 km; Bellary 77 km; Guntakal 133 km; Hubli 154 km; Hassan 335 km; Hyderabad 416 km; Mysore 366 km.
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Temples of SravanaBelogula
This popular Jain pilgrim centre is picturesquely situated between two hills Indragiri and Chandragiri. From time immemorial, this has been reputed as a seat of learning of Jainism. The monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara or Bahubali, a Jain saint, stands majestically on top of the hill (altitude 930 metres). The nearly 1000-year-old statue (17 metres high), created during the time of Chamundaraya, a minister of Ganga King Rajamalla, is said to be the tallest and one of the most graceful in the world.
There are several Jain bastis on the hills and 43 images of Thirthankars. One has to climb about 500 rock-cut steps to reach the summit. At the plains, there is a charming Belagola Lake.
Festival:
A spectacular ceremony called Maha¬mastakhabhisheka is held once in 12 years, when the statue is anointed with milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins. Lakhs of Jain devotees from all over the world participate in this festival. It was last held in 2005.
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Temples Of Beluru-Halebid
Both Belur and Halebid enjoyed the importance of being the capitals of Hoysala rulers. Vishnuvardhana, who embraced Vaishnavism, constructed five Vishnu temples, known as Pancha Narayana shrines. They are at Belur, Melkote, Thonnur, Talakkad and Gadag. The Belur shrine was constructed to commemorate his victory over the Cholas at Talakkad.
Chennakeshava shrine: This temple, an architectural marvel, was built over a period of nearly 100 years. The main structure is star-shaped and is a homogenous architectural unit erected on a raised platform. The three doorways and outer walls contain ornate freizes and wonderful carvings.Lord Chennakeshava, a beautiful image radiating divine glory, is installed on a high pedestal.
The Navarang Mandap is a masterpiece of Hoysala artisans. The polished pillars reflect one's image like the mirror. The dancing figures on the pillars are delicately carved. The Narasimha Pillar contains details about the temple and numerous deities.The outer walls of the shrine depict scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Sri Krishna Leela. A 40-foot¬tall stone pillar is another marvel, which appears to stand only with the centre of gravity.
An interesting feature is that a pair of large leather chappals is kept in a glasscase in the front mandapam. Local cobbler communitymen believe that the Lord treks to Bababudangiri daily to visit Lakshmi residing there. It is said that the Lord appears in their dream and informs them that His chappals have given way and that He needs a fresh pair. The cobblers then spread kumkum on the ground on which the Lord's footprints appear and prepare the chappals according to that size.
Other shrines :
Sowmyanayaki, Andal and Kappe Chinnigaraya are other important shrines in this vast temple complex.
Access:
Belur is 38 km from Hassan and 214 km from Bangalore.
Halebid: This city, one time capital of the Hoysalas, was known as Dwarasamudra. It was founded in early 11th century, but was ravaged by Muslim invasions by the end of the 14th century. Though many buildings had fallen prey, a few shrines like the Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples survived.
Construction of the Hoysaleswara temple was started in 1121 AD by Ketamalla, a general of King Vishnuvardhana. There are two shrines, one dedicated to Lord Siva as Hoysaleswara and the other to Shantaleswara. These are very similar to the Belur shrines in every detail. The most magnificent part of the temple is its outer wall, which is completely covered with freizes of amazing variety. The Kedareswara temple was built by Ballala II. The temple has three superstructures and some fine sculptures.
Access:
Halebid is 17 km from Belur and 27 km from Hassan.
Temples Of Shrimoga
Koodali (17 km from Shimoga): It is a renowned pilgrim spot where the rivers Tunga and Bhadra meet. Though a small village, a lot of Puranic importance is attached to this place. A Lingam, known as Sangameshwar, is installed on the riverside. There are shrines dedicated to Narasimha, Rameshwar, Devi Sharada and Brahmeshwar.
The place is known as Narasimha Kshetra because of the presence of Lord Narasimha here. Prahlada is believed to have installed the deity, a Saligrama image. He is known as Chintamani Narasimha.
Brahma installed the image of Sri Brahmeshwar with Devi Parvati. Sri Adi Sankara installed Devi Sharada's image on the river bank. There are shrines for Adi Sankara and Devi Sharada. There are several Brindavanams of Madhwa swamijis on the banks of the river.
Harihar: The 12th century temple of Lord Harihar, built by Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana, is worth visiting. In the sanctum, the huge image of the Lord is flanked by Parvati and Lakshmi. Nandi and Garuda are facing the sanctum. The star-shaped front mandapam is known for intricate carvings.
Thirthahalli (52 km from Shimoga): Here is a shrine of Rameshwar on the banks of Tunga river. Sage Parasurama is believed to have installed the Lingam and done penance to redeem himself from the curse of having killed his mother.
The place is associated with Pancha Pandavas. Situated about 7 km away is Bheemannaghatta Mutt, an ancient mutt belonging to Madhwa swamijis. It houses the deities of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and others worshipped by Bheemasena and an image of Narasimhamurthy worshipped by sage Durvasa.
Amirtha Theertham (16 km from Theerthahalli): This is the birthplace of river Sharavati. A Lingam is installed at this sacred spot.
Kalasa: The Siva temple here on the banks of Bhadra river is dedicated to Kalaseswar. This Swayambu Lingam is believed to have sprouted from the Kalasam of sage Agastya. Hence the Lord's name. The Lingam is enshrined in a silver mandapam in the sanctum. The beautiful image of Goddess Parvati is known as Sarvaangasundari.
Lord Visweswara is enshrined on the outer prakaram. This place is revered as Dakshina Kashi.
Oranadu Annapoorneshwari (8 km from Kalasa): The temple is situated in beautiful surroundings. Sage Agastya is said to have installed the deity. The sanctum was renovated in recent years by a learned astrologer, Venkitasubba Jois. It has been designed in a unique manner: the single image depicts the Devi standing on a peetam with Devi Gayatri, Sri Chakram, Shanku and Chakra in Her four hands. The sanctum is surrounded by Adi Sesha and the Padma Peetam is formed by Ashtagaja, Koorma etc.
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