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.

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.

Backwaters, Bhadra Reservoir

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

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