Excellent Architecture in Alamatti Dam

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On 26/11, I want to share this apt architecture seen near Alamatti Dam.
This structure seen in garden developed next to Alamatti Dam, calls for unity amongst all Indians irrespective of religion/caste & creed. We should never forget the famous phrase - "Together we stand; divided we fall".

Alamatti Dam is one of the largest projects in India.
This massive dam built across River Krishna is 524 meter high and holds capacity of 200 TMC storage capacity. Due to this mega project, large areas of Bagalkot(Baagalakote) district in Northern Karnataka got submerged including Bagalkot town. Since its incorporation, Alamatti Dam has played key role in agriculture & irrigation projects in Norther Karnataka.

Aihole - Cradle of Temple Architecture

055/366 Aihole, is famously known as "Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture". This historic town, which was also known as "Ayya-vole" & "Aryapura" has over 125 temples. It appears that, Aihole was used as place to experiment in rock cut architecture. Temples have been built in unique style and experiments have been done with cave architecture as well. These temples dates from 5th century AD to 12th century AD built by Chalukya Dynasty.

Aihole was prominent city during Chalukya Dynasty & it was also early capital for Chalukyas. Over the period when Chalukyas grew in power, Badami became their new capital.

Durga temple depicted in the pic is one of the prominent temple. This temple was probably built around 7th-8th century AD. One can find famous inscription by court poet Ravikeerthi, which depicts Immadi Pulakeshi's win over famous emperor of Kanauj, Harshavardhana. This inscription is in Sanskrit and Old Kannada.
In one of the temples, one can also observe famous Chalukya's Royal Emblem depicting Varaha(Wild boar). Chalukyas were Vaishnavas(devotees of Lord Vishnu).

More details on Aihole:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aihole

More details on Chalukyas:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalukya

Kote Varadaraja Swamy Temple, Satyagala

052/366 Kote Varadaraja Swamy Temple at Satyagala

Satyagala (also known as 'Sattegala') is in Kollegala taluk, Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka. Located 6km away from Madhya Ranga, is considered to be holy place for Sri Vaishnavas.
Main deities in the temple are 'Varadaraja Swamy' and 'Perundevi'(Lakshmi). Along with main deities, revered saint Vedanta Desika(1269–1370)'s sannidhi is in the temple.
Sri Vedanta Desika is also known as re-incarnation of the divine bell of Lord Vishnu. He is often referred as "Ghantaavataara".

When Muslims attacked Srirangam Temple, Vedanta Desika travelled along the banks of River Kaveri, Sri Vedanta Desika stayed in Satyagala for 12 years and wrote many books during his stay.

Read more about Vedanta Desika here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedanta_Desika

Sakrebailu Elephant Camp

051/366 'Surya' plays in Sakrebailu Elephant Camp near Shivamogga(Shimoga), Karnataka

Sakrebailu Elephant Camp is located 14km away from Shivamogga on Thirthahalli road. Camp is on the banks of Tunga river & has more than 15 elephants.

'Sakrebailu' or 'Sakkare-bayalu' means 'Sugar Field'. This name might have come because of Sugarcane fields though I did not notice much of this. But I can surely say people here are as sweet as Sugar!

In this camp, One can get to see, Mahut's washing elephants in Tunga river. This camp has elephant rides to the visitors. Gajanur Dam is very close to this camp.

Sirimane Falls

040/366 This lovely falls named sirimane is close to Sringeri(14km) is located in western ghats. It is located in same route of Kigga, which is 9km from Sringeri. Stream water falls from around 40 feet high and is very beautiful to watch.

I had visited this falls when it was almost unknown to most people.
But now, this is very popular spot and road has been improved.

PS: I have never visited this falls during summers

More info:
http://www.karnataka.com/chikmagalur/sirimane-falls/
http://www.dreamroutes.org/western/sirimanefalls.html

Pottery @ Janapada Loka

033/366 Janapada Loka, near Ramanagara, Karnataka
Janapada Loka in Kannada means "Folk-Culture World", is lovely place where one can get to see glimpse of Karnataka's folk heritage. This place contains museum displaying more than 5000 artifacts which depicts the essence of Karnataka folk.
The display includes an various tools used for agriculture, hunting, fishing implements, weapons, ingenious household gadgets, masks, dolls and shadow puppets.

Pic shows pottery skill...

Touch the clouds in Kodachadri

032/366 Kodachadri, Karnataka
This lovely peak located in Shivamogga District, Karnataka, is of altitude of around 4300 ft. This peak is with dense forest in Western Ghats.

Word "Kodacha" means hill in native dialect and "Adri" also means hill in Sanskrit. It is also called "Kudajadri" and "Kodashi Parvatha".

It is said that, Adi Shankaracharya visited this peak amd performed penance here. There is a small temple on the peak for Sage Sri Shankaracharya.

Famous Mookambika Temple is located in Kollooru (Kollur) is at the foothills of Kodachadri. It is said that, Adi Shankaracharya established Mookambika Temple.

Path to the peak from Nittur(base) is around 13km and is extremely scenic. Best time to trek is monsoon season but one needs to sustain leech attacks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodachadri

Gandaberunda, Keladi

026/366 When I was kid, I was extremely fascinated with this two headed bird seen on red buses plying in Bangalore/Karnataka.
Later on I realized that, there were many many Kannada rulers, who ruled different parts of Karnataka, were also fascinated with this imaginary bird "Gandaberunda" just like me!
List of dynasties which used 'Gandaberunda' Symbol includes Kadambas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas & few Vijayanagar rulers like Nandyals & Gobburis.

Gandaberunda seen in this pic is found in ceiling of Keladi Rameshwara Temple in Shivamogga District.
This beautiful stone carving depicts might of this bird by holding lions in two heads and elephants in its feet.

Currently, Gandaberunda is part of official State symbol of Karnataka.

Mythologically, Gandaberunda is linked to Narasimha Avatara of Lord Vishnu.
You can read very interesting story about "Gandaberunda" & another imaginary animal "Sharabha" here.

Keladi is situated 6km North of Sagara, Shivamogga District, Karnataka.

Kumara Parvata

016/366 Scenic view found while desending from Kumara Parvata towards Kukke Subramanya.

Kumara Parvata, also known as Pushpagiri is third tallest peak in Karnataka next to Mullayyana Giri and Tadiyandamol.
Peak is of altitude 5136ft. One can trek to Kumara Parvata peak either from Kukke Subramanya or from Bidalli(near Somavarapete).

In case you are trekking to this place, make sure you are carrying enough food and water as both are not available on the peak.
Even for drinking water, one needs to trek down to tap water from small stream.

More info/pics:
http://bmcindia.org/events/kumaraparvata-trek.html

Mud Bath, Murkal Elephant Camp

015/366 Elephant takes Mud bath at Murkal Elephant Camp, Nagarahole.

This place is enroute to Nagarahole main camp while entering the forest range from Hunsur.

We could also spot Balarama here, which regularly carries Golden Howdah(ambaari) during Vijaya Dashami(Dasara) in Mysore.
Most of the elephants which take part in world famous procession during Dasara are brought to Mysore from many elephant camps aroud Nagarahole.

While I was trying to take snaps of elephants, Balarama got wild...We were shooed away by caretakers :P

Rappelling @ Camp Leopard Rock

I experienced rappelling(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abseiling) for the first time in Camp Leopard Rock, near Hunsur.
Rappelling is a technique that allows you to do a controlled descent down a rope from a cliff.

Initially it looked very scary for most of us to descend 50-60ft rock just using/clinging onto the rope...
But when we practically did it, it was much easier than what it appeared to be...

It is indeed thrilling experience to dangle in the air and push yourself against rocks and move down swiftly :-)

I have done rappelling couple of more times later on, but this was one was the best experience I had...

PS: Identify the adventurous person who is rappelling down the boulder ;-)

Ibrahim Roza, Bijapur

It is said that, inspiration to world famous Taj Mahal, Agra is said to be this architectural beauty situated in North Karnataka.

Ibrahim Roza(also spelled as Ibrahim Rauza) was built in 15-16th century by Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Adil Shah Dynasty.
Ibrahim Roza was built in rememberence of Ibrahim Adil Shah's queen Taj Sultana and houses tomb of king as well.

PS: Song sequences of latest Kannada hit song "Pyarge agbittaite" from movie Govindaya Namaha is shot here & other beautiful monuments of Bijapur.

More info:

http://www.mapsofindia.com/bijapur/tourism/ibrahim-roza.html

Backwaters, Bhadra Reservoir

Bhadra Dam built against River Bhadra is situated 28km from Shivamogga.
Dam was commissioned in 1965 & is of 194 ft heigh.

Sunrise @ Tonsepar

This pic captures sun-rays falling over Volcanic Rock formations found on "Tonsepaar" (in Tulu).

We had this life time oppurtunity to stay overnight on Tonsepaar (now popularly known as St.Mary's Island) and sleep under stars (Thanks to YHAI, Udupi Unit!) on a full moon day.
This pic was taken during sun-rise on Nov 1st(Kannada Rajyotsava!), which we celeberated on the island.

Hardly one can get to see sun-rise as regular ferrys to island start much later and over-night stay is not allowed.

Since natural hexagonal rock formation made of lava is commonly found here, it is listed as Geological Monuments of India declared by the Geological Survey of India.

Scientific studies indicate that the basalt(common extrusive volcanic rock - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basalt) of the Tonsepaar was formed by sub-aerial subvolcanic activity, because at that time Madagascar was attached to India.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Mary%27s_Islands_%28Karnataka%29

Hoysala Symbol @ Kedareshwara Temple, Belligavi

Photo captures Hoysala Symbol found over Kedareshwara Temple, Belligavi.


Belligaavi(also known as Balligave, Belagami, Balligame, Balligrama and Balipura) is located just 2km from Shiralakoppa/20km from Shikaripura in Shivamogga(Shimoga) district, Karnataka.

This place is also known as Dakshina Kedara as per Archeological department due to religious & cultural importance.

As one can figure out from the pic, temple was built in typical Hoysala architecture in Trikootachala Style(triple celled). This temple was possibly built in Eleventh century AD .

This temple situated opposite to huge lake, has Kedareshwara (Lord Shiva) as main deity with beautiful Nandi.
Bramhalinga and Vishnu reside on southern and northern parts.

Belligavi is supposedly birthplace of famous Hoysala Queen, Natya Rani Shantale.
Allamaprabhu the mystic-saint & Vachana poet of 12th century was also born in Balligavi.

This place also contains beautiful museum maintained by Archelogical department and houses many inscriptions of Halegannada.

More info & pics can be found here:
http://karnatakatravel.blogspot.com/2011/12/kedaresvara-temple-belligavi.html

Madhukeshwara Temple, Banavasi

3/366 "ಶ್ರೀ ಮಧುಲಿಂಗ ದೇವರು" [Sri madhu linga devaru" reads inscription below carving of Shiva Linga and Basava(Nandi), in Madhukeshwara Temple, Banavasi.

Found in Banavasi, Karnataka, which is known as first capital of ancient Karnataka[Kadamba Kingdom]...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banavasi

Ramadevara Betta

1/366 Ramadevara Betta, Ramanagara, Karnataka, India