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Friday 13 September 2024
Thursday 11 April 2024
Brahma Jinalaya - A compilation
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Heritage
Let me take you on quick tour of one of the most fascinating structures in Lakkhundi in Karnataka.
The Brahma Jinalaya. This early 11th century temple was one of the many fine structures that were built by Attimabbe, a devout noble woman.
Sunday 31 March 2024
Sunday 24 December 2023
Andaman Islands - Nature At Its Best
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Arts & Culture,
Heritage,
Nature,
People
As our flight gracefully circled the Andaman Islands for approximately 15 minutes, the breathtaking sight of the lush, azure landmass invoked a sense of tranquility and serenity within me. Isolated patches of vibrant green islands stood silent, as if harboring untold stories.
Nestled in the cerulean waters of the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman archipelago attracts a multitude of visitors from the Indian mainland between November and April each year. Following a 2 1/2-hour journey from Bengaluru, the undulating capital city of Port Blair (located in the southern Andaman Islands) serves as the embarkation point for any planned exploration.
Port Blair
In Port Blair, the offerings for exploration are relatively limited. Spending two days here allows for a somber visit to the Cellular Jail, where the dark tales of our freedom fighters unfold. Subsequently, a ferry ride from the capital grants access to Ross Island, which served as a Prisoner of War site for the Japanese during World War II.
View of Andaman sea from the cruise steamer |
Monday 30 October 2023
Annigere – The Marvel of Western Chalukyan Carvings
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Heritage
A visit to the charming town of Annigeri in Karnataka's Dharwad district
is nothing short of essential. Here, one can behold temples that
effortlessly blend the intricate styles of both northern and southern
temple architecture.
Tuesday 5 September 2023
Annigeri – A Unique Gem of Western Chalukyan Heritage
View of Amriteshwara temple |
While Tharangini and I were exploring the rich heritage of Lakkundi, our
guide recommended a visit to Annigeri, which lies approximately 25
kilometers from Gadag city. Annigeri holds a special place in history as
the final capital of the formidable Western Chalukyas, also known as the
Kalyani Chalukyas. Their relocation to Annigeri came about due to their
displacement from their former capital, Kalyani (now known as Basavakalyan
in the Bidar district), following a conflict with the Kalachuris under
King Bijalla-II.
Thursday 29 June 2023
The Narasimha Cult: The Rannebennur Naiks
Tuesday 27 June 2023
The Narasimha Cult: Oakali Festival
View of temple |
Tuesday 16 May 2023
Udayagiri Caves – The Prakrit Inscriptions
A side view of the Udayagiri Caves |
There is more to Udayagiri Caves at Bhubaneshwar in Odisha as in the last 2200 years, many auxiliary structures have been added. A few caves show these additions (albeit highly damaged) from century to century.
As we climbed the hill that is strewn with rock-cut caves from one end to the other, our guide elaborated on the significance of some caves like the Hathi Gumpha with its famous inscriptions.
As we climbed the hill that is strewn with rock-cut caves from one end to the other, our guide elaborated on the significance of some caves like the Hathi Gumpha with its famous inscriptions.
Saturday 29 April 2023
Udayagiri Caves - The Rani Gumpha Heritage
Long shot of pilasters and friezes in Rani Gumpha |
In the first part – I just touched upon a few details about the ancient rock-cut caves of Udayagiri in Odisha. Unlike Ellora, Ajanta, Karla caves in Maharashtra or Badami caves in Karnataka, the Udayagiri caves are unique as the art of carvings started some 2200 years ago and has stood the test of time amidst a vast spread of dense jungle.
Monday 24 April 2023
Udayagiri Caves – Odisha’s Hidden Past
This is in continuation of my visit to Odisha, the erstwhile Kalinga kingdom with its varied past and wonderful natural and historical heritage. No visit to Odisha is complete without a visit to the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves.
Thursday 6 April 2023
Brahma Jinalaya - The Sanctum And The Outer Area
Hope you enjoyed the tour of the inner mantapa. Thank you for joining me here.
The inner mantapa has the 22nd Tirthankara as the main deity. He is flanked on either side by attendants fanning him with a chowrie (a traditional fan made of animal hair attached to a handle). According to our guide the entire backdrop of the chowrie holding attendants was carved out of a single stone.
Friday 3 March 2023
Brahma Jinalaya - The Inner Closed Mantapa
Hope you enjoyed the tour of the outer mantapa. Thank you for joining me here.
So why dedicate an entire section to just the inner closed mantapa? Though the only two prime figurines in the inner closed mantapa are of Padmavati and Chaturmukha Brahma, there are so many smaller aspects hidden everywhere, that it is impossible to ignore.
To talk about this mantapa in brief, it is ventilated by a single small window. Padmavati is on the right while Chaturmukha Brahma is on the left. The lathe turned pillars in the center of this mantapa still manage to glisten in the light. If they look so good now, then it is impossible to even imagine how amazing they would have been a 1000 years ago.
Standing the test of time, the base of these pillars are adorned with various 'sundaris' or beautiful women. But rather than talk about it, I'll allow these images to speak for themselves.
A view of the deity from the Inner Mantapa |
The five framed doorway to the inner sanctum from the mantapa. Notice the animals and the dancers in the frames. |
A figurine of a Thirthankara above the lintel indicating it is a jain
temple. The topmost layer has elephants while just below that is a row of what looks like a dodo bird. |
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The west side face was one from the older years. That face had a full beard and a mustache and looked more rugged. But it was too close to the wall for us to get a decent image.
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The base of all the columns had 'sundaris' or beautiful women engraved in them. While we were visiting another temple and were kneeling and crouching to try and get the best angles for these intriguing beauties, an elderly gentleman who was walking out of the temple kindly informed us that people used to hold babies with breathing problems against these figurines with the babies' back towards the figurines.
The various groves and ridges of the carvings acted as acupressure massaging points, opening up the pathways for breathing better.
I wondered if the same was applicable for adults too, if they sat on the floor with their back resting on these carvings.
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There was a kirthimukha on top of the pillar as well framing a man playing a drum |
Visit the inner sanctum and let's take a walk around the temple in the next section.
Tuesday 28 February 2023
Brahma Jinalaya - The Outer Mantapa
In our efforts to bring more stories to spottedowlets, Meera and I decided
to visit Gadag, with the intention of exploring both nature and the
extravaganza of ancient architecture in and around that place.
We will be attempting to bring in as much information as possible from all
the temples we visited, hoping to do at least some justice to magnificent
structures we visited.
Meera has already given a brief history of Lakkundi, so let’s dive in. Starting the journey from the Jain temple or ‘Brahma Jinalaya’ at Lakkundi, we visited this fascinating structure at midday during midweek. Needless to say, we had exclusive time there.
Meera has already given a brief history of Lakkundi, so let’s dive in. Starting the journey from the Jain temple or ‘Brahma Jinalaya’ at Lakkundi, we visited this fascinating structure at midday during midweek. Needless to say, we had exclusive time there.
A view of the temple |
Sunday 26 February 2023
Lakkundi – A Medieval Wonder
Lakkundi, the village and streets |
There are still some hidden, ancient heritage spots in Karnataka that do
not see much interest or tourist footfall, and reasons are many for that.
Lakkundi is one such place in Gadag district which is neither part of the
Hampi tourism circuit nor part of any other circuit. Just about 11
kilometers from the town of Gadag, Lakkundi, once a powerful Kingdom is
today a veritable treasure trove of temples and stepwells.
Thursday 2 February 2023
Chitrakarini Temple - The Paintress
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Heritage
If you are visiting Bhubaneswar on a leisurely holiday, try to explore
temples that do not see crowds nor much interest. Apart from Lingaraj,
Rajarani, Ananta Vasudeva and other such famous temples in this city,
there are other architectural monuments that are ancient and highly
impressive for their carvings.
View of main temple. The four outer towers are not seen here. |
Thursday 26 January 2023
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