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PATTADAKAL
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Pattadakal
- a World Heritage Centre - has 10 major temples
representing early Chalukyan architecture.The
biggest temple here, is dedicated to Virupaksha.
Besides this temple is a group of temples remarkable
primarily, for representing two chief styles of
Indian architecture, side by side.The Sangameshwara,
Chandrashekhara, Jambuling and Kadasideeshwara
are the other major temples here, and Pattadakal
has also a Jaina basadi of Rashtrakuta times with
two beautiful elephants in this front. |
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BADAMI |
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capital of the Early Chalukyas, Badami is picturesquely
situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky
hills. Badami is famous for its four cave temples -
all hewn out of sand stone on the precipice of a hill.
Enter the first cave temple - past Shiva's door keepers
- and there he is! The eighteen-armed Nataraja striking
81 dance poses! The largest and most ornamental is the
third cave temple dedicated to Vishnu. Overlooking the
cave temples is a reservoir dotted with temples dedicated
to Vishnu and Shiva. Also a must are the Bhutanatha
temples that lend their name to the lake beneath the
cave temples. |
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HAMPI |
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"
If dreams were made out of stone, it would be
Hampi" Vijayanagara is such that the pupil of
the eye has never seen a place like it...". You
can still glimpse the splendour of Vijayanagara
- one of the largest empires in the history of
India - in its ruins. Hampi is full of surprises.HAMPI,
the seat of the famed VIJAYANAGARA empire was
the capital of the largest empire in post-mogul
India, covering several states. The empire reigned
supreme under Krishnadevaraya, the Emperor. The
Vijayanagara empire stretched over at least three
states - Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. |
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AIHOLE |
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Aihole
famous as the "Cradle of Indian Architecture",
Aihole has over a hundred temples scattered around
the village.
The oldest temple here is, perhaps, the Lad Khan
temple dating back to the 5th Century. The Durga
(Fort) Temple is notable for its semi-circular
apse, elevated plinth and the gallery that encircles
the sanctum. The Hutchimalli Temple out in the
village - has a sculpture of Vishnu sitting atop
a large cobra. |
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BANGALORE |
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Bangalore
the capital of Karnataka, Bangalore is located
in the south-east of the State. Rapid industrialisation
has not drastically altered the pace of life here,
which is comparitively unhurried. This, coupled
with the agreeable climate, the greenery, the
cleanliness, the sense of order, make Bangalore
India's most congenial City. |
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MYSORE |
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Mysore,
once the capital of the Wodeyars, still remains
its old-world charm. Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills
and Brindavan Gardens are the main attractions.Mysore
is a city of palaces, gardens, shady avenues and
sacred temples and retains some of the charm of
the old world with its many institutions that
propagate Carnatic Classical music and dance. |
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SHRAVANABELGOLA |
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Shravanabelagola,
Wedged between two star rocky hills, this legendary
pilgrim center and shrine of the Jains. The monolithic
statue of Lord Gomateshwara, a Jain saint and an
object of worship for centuries, standing atop one
of the hills (Indragiri) is 18 meter high and is
said to be the tallest monolithic statue in the
world.The symmetry in stone was created around 983
AD by Chamundaraya, a general and minister of the
Ganga King Rachamatta. |
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The Mahamastakabhisheka festival,
an elaborate ritual, held here once every 12 years, attracts
devotees from all over the World. |
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SRIRANGAPATNA |
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Srirangapatna this island
of Tipu Sultan on the Bangalore-Mysore highway was
the capital of the warrior-kings Hyder Ali and his
son Tipu Sultan. Ranganathittu Bird Santury, 4 Kms
from Srirangapatna is home to several exotic species
of birds. Fort, Daria Daulat Bagh, Gumbaz are not
to be missed. |
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BELUR |
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Belur is 222 Kms from
Bangalore, 34 Kms from Hassan and 149 Kms from Mysore.
This place is famous for its exquisite temples.
Belur is known as Dakshina Varanasi or South Banaras
for its temples. The serenity of Belur is attributed
to the celebrated temple of Channakeshava, built
by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in 117 A. D.
to commemorate his conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism. |
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SRINGERI |
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Sringeri was discovered
by Sri Sankaracharya as a place where even natural
animosities did not exist, as he saw a frog in labour
protected from the scorching rays of the sun by
a raised hood of a cobra. He installed at that place
the Goddess of learning, Sri Sharada.He also established
a Matha for the propagation of Advaita philosophy,
and his first sishya Sri Suresvaracharya was made
the head of the Matha. |
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From then onwards, Sringeri
has become famous as a center of learning, philosophy
and sublime spirituality. It is one of the holy places
of India and it attracts many pilgrims. |
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