Wanderings in Kannada Desam

A travel document of my wanderings in Karnataka. The Hoysalas ruled Karnataka over a millennium ago and they built many temples across the land between the 11th and 12th century AD. Of these, the most famous are the one in Belur, Halebid and Somanathpur.

Halebid- The Halebid/ Halebeedu temple was called Dhwara Samudra by the Hoysalas, coz there is a huge lake adjoining the temple. The temple is still incomplete and the residing deity is Lord Shiva but no poojas are carried out because the temple is incomplete and in ruins after several attacks from the Sultans of the North and other local vandals- reason why it was renamed as Halebid, meaning city in ruins. The Halebid temple is known for its external beauty.

Belur- This has Lord Vishnu as the residing deity and here poojas carried out, because the temple is complete. The Belur temple is known for its internal beauty and has a model replica standing close by, but sans the intricate rock carvings.

Somnathpur- This temple is located in South Karnataka close to Tamil Nadu border and is missed out in many tourist itineraries. 

The carvings in these temples are made out of soft stone which is found deep below the surface. The stone is soft (hence  aided easy carving), when underground, but when exposed to air, it becomes hard. The whole temple is built by locks and interlocks and even now, can be dismantled completely and assembled back.

Shravanabelagola is a another famous tourist destination close to both Belur and Halebid. The Gomateshwara temple is located amidst a stunning landscape.

Shivasamudram island, close to Somnathpur is where the River Cauvery exits Karnataka and enters Tamil Nadu. En route, it breaks and drops as two waterfalls- the Ganganachukki and Barachukki. Also located is the Shivasamudram Hydro- Electric Project.

Halebid- The temple sits on a star shaped platform

Halebid- known for its external beauty

Halebid Carved Walls 1

Halebid Carved Walls 2

Halebid- Panaroma

Halebid- The Gardens leading upto the temple

Belur External View

2 layered balcony typo of architecture- 1

2 layered balcony typo of architecture-2

Belur- Walls, the carvings are not as intricate as in the other two temples

Belur- The Temple Torch

Belur Mantap

The model replica of Belur temple

Belur temple with ventilation- start shaped from the outside, but squared when seen from within

Somnathpur- Exterior

Ventilators- Star shaped from the outside, but squared from the inside

Somnathpur Walls

Elephants in the bottom for strength, horses next for agility, flowers then for beauty, musicians and dancers next for artistic pleasure and the Gods above all (Residing in Gopuras- half of which is in North Indian style (left) and the other half in South Indian (right) ) 

Outlet

Dravidian and Aryan styled Gopuras

Somnathpura Carved Walls

Stunning Somnathpur Exteriors

Interesting Carving- Even though Parvathy sits on Shiva's left lap, notice the table still tilts to the right- Meaning men are above women (Yawn! :))

Krishna lifting Govardhana

Details in the Govardhana Mountain- A plantain tree with bananas and a monkey reaching out to grab its share

Everybody is watching Krishna lift Govardhana- Except a mama donkey feeding her offspring. Mom's love explained

Subramanya :)

Brahma - Shiva - Vishnu

Vishnu with Lakshmi

Shiva dancing inside the demon (as an elephant)'s stomach

Shiva's finger nails piercing the elephant's body

A struggling mouse- See the pain in his eyes? Owing to Ganesha's weight

Angry Vishnu- Broken partly due to vandalism

Shiva and Parvathy hitching a ride on a white elephant, recognized by its 2 tusks on either side

Hanuman and Garuda try to split a Jack fruit and it splits into two equal halves- Meaning both are equally strong

Vishnu with Lakshmi

Love is in the air- Manmadha with Rathi. He is holding a sugarcane, meaning Love is sweet :) ;)

Nandi and Garuda on one statue- Meaning Shiva and Vishnu are same (As Vivek would say: Hari-yum Shiva-num onnu, idhai ariyaadhavan vaayila mannu :))

An unhappy bull- He only agreed to be Shiva's vahana... But Shiva brought Parvathy along :P :D

Rama giving Hanuman his ring to take it to Sita

The 6th most beautiful Nandi in India- so it seems-- The 7th most beautiful also sits very next to this one actually

Even the blood veins of the Nandi are visible

Its a straight insertion anyway- eye to ear; ear to mouth; mouth to eye

A good make- up doesn't hurt

For a young guy in his prime- even a donkey faced girl looks beautiful (ROFL :D)

Another one?? Seriously?? Now this is getting creepy :%

Wax moldings?? Paper cuttings?? or just unbelievable Rock carvings??

Fishes swimming in the water

Now did the Europeans actually land a 1000 years ago?? This one is a traveling scholar from East Asia

Intricate rope carvings

Danseuse and musicians

Monkey Business- A monkey pulling a woman's saree; The woman tries to reach out to the branches, to use one to hit the monkey; See her legs lifting up slightly meaning she is stretching herself

A parrot coaxing the woman to give the fruit she is holding

A woman's 2nd toe if longer, then she ll dominate her husband.. Really?? :P *Checks own* :P :D

Yudhh 1

 

Yudhh 2

Bheem- Killing mad elephants and piling the dead elephants behind him. Okay dude, we agree you are strong, now stop showing off!! :)

Ancient straw- Guys, what is that you're drinking?? Coke??

Ancient telescope?? A peeking device actually

Astronauts?? Some guys in weird looking costumes

 

Is that a scorpion that I see!!

Hey doggy!! :)

Ancient Bob haircut :)

To make the start shaped architecture prominent- One elephant :: two bodies

Ducky feeding her ducklings :)

Snaps clicked in Shivasamudram and Shravanabelagola

Barachukki 1

Barachukki 2

Barachukki 3

Barachukki 4

Ganganachukki 1

Ganganachukki 2

Shravanabelagola 1

Shravanabelagola 2

Shravanabelagola 3- Best for last- My most fave pic- Has an Inception feel to it.. :)