Temples of HOOLI

On a journey from Savadatti to Ramdurga in Belgaum Dist, we learnt of  Hooli- a village 30 minutes away from Savadatti. We were directed to the grand temple complex of Panchalingeshwara. Recreated and well maintained-With a pillared mantap in the front and five sanctum sanatorium with five shiv linga, hence the name panchalingeswara.  Archaeological Survey of India has done a great job in restoring this temple. Now we learn of 100 temples of Hooli.

Off we go bare footed in the by lanes of the village, We come across a little structure in complete ruins, with cattle grazing.

A Little distance, and we are greeted by the awesome site many a temples scattered around on the hillock across this stream.

                                                                                                 

Unmindful of the thorns and growing excitement, we went on exploring the exquisite architecture.

Beautifully carved doorways, Pillared entrances to the inner sanctum

                                                                                                                                       

All these temples we were told were shaivates and each one had its own well. We could see many in the vicinity. How I wish I could explore all the hundred, I can only quote Robert Frost : Miles to go ......

Researched many a time on the net. Know not who are the architects of these magnificent site. Possibly Chalukya's or Kadamambas?

Chitra Santhe

Our own Montmarte - albeit for a day, the road leading to the Chitra Kala Parishad in Bangalore takes on a festive air on the last Sunday of every January. Artist from all over, throng the foot paths to sell their exquisite art to suit all budgets. I was fortunate to buy a water colour at a good price last year.Waiting for the next edition..

Some photographs from my mobile cam.

CALICUT BEACH

On a day's visit to Calicut or Kozhikode, its swell to walk on the beach observing daily life morn and eve. Few Photographs.

Segregating their meagre catch






On the way to pick up the catch

The piers of an erstwhile port

Crushed ice with assorted juice -A delicacy before                      

 the ready  ice cream invaded                                                        Scandals of time

Barcelona to Sydney in one year

To start blogging again was quite difficult, once your are out of the loop, it requires a  great deal of effort to start all over again. I have been travelling quite a lot; for  work and  otherwise; accumulated many a photos up and down the lane. Now that the ice is broken,  I thought the best would be to start with  Patrick.

It was early February and we were driving down from Belgaum in North Karnataka, and I saw this van, proudly proclaiming "Barcelona to Sydney in one year". I was able to catch up with this van at the toll gate. Mr. Patrick graciously pulled over and had a heart to heart chat. He along with his two lovely daughters and wife are on a journey of life time and were proceeding to the famed Hampi.

He spoke about his journey to India and how his vehicle would be shipped to Australia, during the time he would tour Thailand, Malaysia etc. It was such a pleasure taking to him and asked me to keep updated on http://www.road111.com/ . He must have completed his journey by this time.

Kudos to you Patrick

Temples of Aralaguppe

On a visit to Tiptur about 200 kms from Bangalore, I did the usual search and lo! I could get a list of many ancient structures in and around. Managed to visit Aralaguppe -a small village 20kms away from Tiptur; which boast two wonderful temples- The Kalleswara and Chennakeshava.

Chennakeshava temple

 The Chennakeshava temple is amazing in this little village almost a oasis in the desert. Dated to have been built in the 13th century by the Hoysalas, this structure has all the attributes of the Hoysalan architecture of Belur and Halebid. The walls are sculpted with images of Vishnu in various avatars and the creativity of the creator is absolutely marvellous.
Front View of the temple

Rear View-The star shaped platform and the elephants placed at regular interval

Intricately carved wall

The Kalleshwara temple

Purported to be a Pre-Hoysalan structure, built by the Nolambas,The Kalleshwara temple has a two attractions which are worth many a visit -The extraordinary ceiling intricately carved and the sculpture of Uma and Shiva. The pillars of the temple are of granite, but the walls are of brick-may be a later day addition. The temple of this importance could be better maintained

The main attraction of this temple the ceiling which is something to be seen to be believed. Its amazing but proved difficult to capture of the nine panels on the ceiling I could get the these two

The Nataraj                                                                                    Pashupathi

 

A view inside-Lathe turned pillars, the ceiling and the the Shiva Linga

The Bull - Nandi                                                    Uma- Maheshwar- a unique sculpture

 

Bagamandal and Tala Kaveri

At the foothill of Talakaveri is Bagamandala. A confluence of three rivers, river kaveri joined by two tributaries.
After a customary dip at the confluence, devotees visit the Bhagandeshwara temple before proceeding to Tala Kaveri-the birth place of the river Kaveri on the Bramagiri hill. This a wonderful place to visit and spend a day in the pristine environment.

Confluence of the river  kaveri- people taking a dip

 Another view of the river and beyond

This is Talacauvery-the place the might  river kaveri is born, Beautiful and majestic. The sight of people wading through the length of the tank to the exact spot where the river raises in a small spring is humbling. People crowding the around the small spring

A view down from Bramagiri

Coorg_The Scotland Of India

It been a long time,with little time, bogged down with various things, time now to complete the Coorg saga. Coorg or Kodagu, often called the Scotland of India so unique, The people have their own distinct culture, food, the women drape the Saree in their own unique way. Lucky for us to have a cousin hailing from this area. He made sure we could savor all the flavors coorg has to offer.

Spending a night in a home stay, enjoying the dinner the coorgi way is most enchanting. To being with lots of fruit wine (Pineapple, Pomegranate), whisky, Pork, chicken,  Wow! it was wonderful.

Getting up early and taking a walk in the meadows-

 Crossing cool crystal clear streams - most refreshing

Sugar cane from the nearby fields for breakfast

Some flowers along the way

This is something amateur irrespective of the results try

Golden Temple, Bylakuppe

A long pending dream to visit Coorg (Kodagu) came true thanks to the initiative taken by my Cousins, A bunch of vibrant people, lots if fun spread over two days began with a visit to the Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe on the door way to Kodagu district. Enter this settlement and you are in a different world altogether, A home away from home for Tibetan.

The main entrance to the monastery

Rear View

Monks in prayers

And the Buddha........

Ameins

Here we were in this Picardie region visiting some sites related to clean energy and efficiency. The first point being the station of Douai, where we arrived at, by TGV from Paris, just a couple of hours. 

We drive through some picturesque landscapes and visiting  some Municipal waste based power generating sites and Landfill gas based power generation site and
   

  We arrive at Amiens. A beautiful city again with a rich heritage, a famous cathedral and wonderful cuisine. The Amiens Macaroon are a delicious speciality of the Picardie area  I was told and they tasted delicious and almost melted in the mouth. Another of the local delicacy is Foie gras -prepared out of the liver of a duck specially fattened. Did I enjoy this? I dont't know, I will have to try it again.
 Well this our dinner table

And now the cathedral of our lady of lady of Amiens,

said  to be tallest in France and built in the 11 century has some marvellous facade.

The are some exquisite hotels and restaurants around the bylanes of the Cathedral and its lovely to spend a evening.

Unfortunately for us this monument was closed due to major repairs being undertaken.

The entrance to the cathedral                                       Apostles and Saint on the facade

Getting around this wonderful city was such a experience, with canals and quaint little building lining it, Alas, the camera was at the hotel, but could manage these shots from the city centre.