Karkala Temple, Karnataka - ಕಾರ್ಕಳ ಟೆಂಪ್ಲೇ
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Karkala is a little town in the south of Karnataka. There is a famous Jain temple in Karkala, which is a witness to a different age dating back a thousand years. The lavish architecture within its simple stone framework, flowing stone sculptures and ample carvings bears the testimony to probably the combined work of talented sculptors, architects and artists long dead.
Karkala is surrounded by hills and a lagoon. It is famous for the charming Karkala temple, Jain stupa and a gigantic statue of the Jain god, Gandharva. The temple is situated on the top of a hill with a stone staircase cut into the face of the rock of the rising hill. The Jains built this temple on top of a hill in AD 1000 to erect a memorial and place of worship to their god, the Gandharva. The rich architecture, the florid Hoysala type sculptures and the unique style of construction and architectural design of the staircases and porticos are the important characteristic of the temples of Karkala At the foot or the entrance to the Jain temple is a special set of footprints embedded in a rock that is preserved in a little shrine dedicated to the Gandharva. These footprints are unique because they are believed to be the actual impressions of the holy saint, dating back a thousand years or more.
The statue of the Gandharva is worth seeing as it is wonderfully carved out of a granite rock that rises to a height of 300 ft. The gigantic rock statue of the Gandharva is unique as it is one of the three such statues into the whole of India. Karkala is famous for another towering statue of Gomateshwara, which has a height of 43 ft. Veerapandyadeva, the king of Bairarasa family of Karkala, built this statue in 1432 AD on a rocky hill. There are life size statues of three Teerthankaras as well as one of Padmavathi Yakshi. The rulers also built Chathurmukh basadi at Karkala and famous Neminath basadi complex and the tall Manasthamba at Hariyangadi.
The temple adjacent to the Jain temple is indeed beautiful despite the neglect and years of decay. It is constructed in pure Dravidian style with a flat roof. The Buddhist influences and manifestations are evident especially in the scriptures and texts carved into the wall faces. This is an unusual feature because most of the temples do not find inscriptions carved into the wall faces. This Buddhist influence dates back to Ashokan period. The Karkala temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu. It is a pity that the temple is so neglected and decayed.
In the medieval times Bidar belonged to the Chalukyan branch who established their capital in 977 A.D. at Kalyani,57 kms away. Falling to the Yadavas of Devagiri (Daulatabad) and to the Kakatiyas of Warangal in 1322 A.D.,Bidar fully rose to prominence under the sultanate regime.
The imposing fort of Bidar is a magnificent fort,the main gateway of which was originally built by Bahamani Sultan Ahmad Shah Wali in 1429 AD. Further improvements to the citadel were carried out by the Barid Shahi Sultans. Ahmad Shah Wali (1422 - 35) the ninth Bahamani Sultan decided to shift his capital from Gulbarga to Bidar for reasons of health.
Palaces,pavilions and seraglios; lush gardens,decorated fountains and perfumed baths have all the trappings of an Arabian Nights fantasy when Bidar was ruled by the Bahamanis and the Barid Shahi Sultans of the Deccan. Sprawled on a plateau 2,200 feet above sea level and overlooking the Manjira River Valley,cool and exhilarating Bidar was most certainly a part of ancient Vidharba mentioned in the Mahabharata. The fort is surrounded by three miles of walls with 37 bastions,most of them surmounted with cannons. This fort was a source of irritation to the Mughal rulers of Delhi,and was finally conquered by Aurangazeb. The fort now lies in ruins.
Tirupati is situated at 67-km from Chittoor in the state of Andhra Pradesh,India. Tirupati is one of the important pilgrim centres in India. The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak,Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill. This historic shrine of Sri Venkateswara is famous all over the country and attracts pilgrims from all over the country who stand in line for hours together to obtain a glimpse of the presiding deity for a few fleeting seconds.
The shrine is located on a hill at Tirumala,a cluster of seven hills known as Seshachalam or Venkatachalam with an elevation of 853m (2,800ft.) above the sea level. It is said to be the richest temple in the world. This temple is a vibrant cultural and philanthropic institution with a grand history spanning several centuries.
All the great dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD),the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later),the Pandyas of Madurai,and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar (14th - 15th century AD) were devotees of the Lord.
Tirupathi is a fine example of dravidian temple architecture. The 'gopuram' or tower of the Tirupati Temple shows a characteristic feature of Dravidian architecture. The 'Vimana' or Cupola over the sanctum sanctorum is covered entirely with gold plate and is known as "the Ananda Nilayam". The Shrine consists of three 'Prakarams' or enclosures. The outermost enclosure contains the 'Dhvajastambha' or the banner post and,among others,the statues of Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya and his consorts,and of Todarmal,the minister of Akbar.
The idol of the deity,the full figure of Lord Venkateswara or 'Venkataramana' or 'Srinivasa' or 'Balaji' has the attributes of both Vishnu and Shiva,preserving and destroying aspects of the Hindu Trinity. Tirupathi Balaji Temple
It consists of two different levels,the front at a lower level and the rear at a higher. The southern or inner portion of this Mandapam was constructed by Saluva Narasimha in 1473 AD to celebrate a festival for Sri Venkateswara called Anna Unjal Tirunal. This structure was extended to its present size by Araviti Bukkaraya Ramaraja,Sriranga Raja and Tirumala Raja.
It is in this Mandapam,that the utsava murthi Malayappan,holds His annual darbar or Asthanam during the hoisting of the Garudadhwaja on Dhwajastambham to mark the commencement of Brahmotsavam. Incidentally,the prasadam distributed on this occasion is still called Tirumalarayan Pongal. Tirumala Raya Mandapam : The Mandapam has a typical complex of pillars in the Vijayanagara style,with a central pillar surrounded by smaller pillars,some of which emit musical notes when struck with a stone. The main pillars have rearing horses with warriors mounted on them. Some of the best sculptures of the temple are found in bold relief in the Mandapam. The bronze statues of Todermallu,his mother Matha Mohana Devi and wife Pitha Bibi,are kept in a corner of the Mandapam. The Aina Mahal : The Aina Mahal is on the northern side of the Tirumala Raya Mandapam. It consists of two parts - an open mandapam in the front consisting of six rows comprising six pillars each,and a shrine behind it consisting of an Antarala and Garbhagriha. It has large mirrors which reflect images in an infinite series. There is an unjal in the middle of the room in which the Lord is seated and festivals conducted.
Saint Ramanujacharya prescribed all the elaborate rituals and mode of worship in the temple that are still followed by the priests and devotees. Anointing the idol with camphor,and the offering by pilgrims of the hair on their heads by getting themselves shaved by licensed barbers are the important customs in vogue at Tirupati Temple.
The most famous is the annual festival called 'Brahmotsavam',which is celebrated on grand scale for nine days in September,attracting pilgrims and tourists from all parts of the country. The fifth and ninth days of the festival are especially significant in as much as Garudostavam and Rathotavam takes place on those days.
Pattadakal,situated in Karnataka,under the Chalukya Dynasty,achieved a harmonious blend of architectural forms from the north and south of India. There is an impressive series of nine Hindu temples,as well as a Jain sanctuary. The sculptural art of the early Chalukyas is characterised by grace and delicate details. The narrative reliefs illustrate various episodes from the great Hindu epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata,from the holy book - Bhagavata and tales of Panchatantra.
An impressive series of nine Hindu temples,as well as a Jain sanctuary can be seen there. Four of the temples here are in the south Indian Dravidian architectural style while four are in the north Indian Nagara style while Papanatha temple exhibits a hybrid style.
The oldest temple at Pattadakal is the Sangamesvara Temple built by Vijayaditya Satyasraya (A.D. 697-733) is a simple but a massive structure. The Temple of Virupaksha,built around 740 A.D. by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate her husband's victory over the kings from the south is a masterpiece in itself.
Hampi the 14th century capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire lies in the Deccan heartland,in the state of Karnataka. Hampi is situated at 74 kms from the city Bellary and 13 km from Hospet city in Karnataka. The ruins of Vijayanagar Empire in and around the village of Hampi are spread over an area of more than 26 sq kms. They are one of the most fascinating historical sites in Southern India. The best time to visit Hampi is from October to March.
It is a thriving traveler's center. The area of Hampi is protected by the tempestuous river Tungabhadra in the north and by rocky granite stones on other three sides. There is a magical quality to the ruins of Hampi even 650 years after the empire of Krishna - devaraya disintegrated.
Hampi is famous for its ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar and it is declared a World Heritage site. The monolithic sculptures and monuments along the temples are attractive because of their excellent workmanship. The architecture found at Hampi reflects the Hindu culture and splendor of the Vijaynagar Empire. The rugged landscape adds to the historic ambience of this site.
The temple is built out of hard granite around an area of 500 by 300 feet. It has 56 pillars in the main hall,which produce musical notes when struck. In the courtyard is the life-size chariot carved out of granite with actually revolving wheels. The temple is famous for its beautifully carved gopurams and mandapas. Vithala Temple,Hampi Stone Chariot,Hampi Vithala Temple Pillar (left) and Stone Chariot Some of the inner pillars in the Mandapa contain figures of women dancers and drummers and beautiful multi-petalled lotus carvings. This is one of the most ornate Vijaynagar temples built over a period of time. Here tapping certain stone pillars produces harmonics that can only be described as ethereal,and it's something that's quite impossible to imaging until you hear a tune being tapped out on a stone carving of a drum.
The stone chariot in this temple is very famous. Its stone wheels,each shaped in the form of a lotus,are capable of revolving. Temple chariots are often mobile reproductions of a temple. The stone chariot here is in turn a static version of the mobile temple chariot. Virupaksha Temple : The Virupaksha or the Pampapathi temple is the main center of pilgrimage at Hampi. This temple is in ruins but is still in worship and is dedicated to Lord Shiva,known here as Virupaksha or Pampapati,as his wife Pampa is associated with Tungabhadra River(daughter of Lord Brahma). It is situated in picturesque surroundings on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra river to the north of Hemkuta hill. The temple has a 50 m tall,elaborately carved gateway and has been renovated in 1510 by Krishnadeva Raya. The temple has several mandaps and murals(statues). The eastern gateway is a marvel of engineering skill. The hall leading to the sanctorum has finely carved columns of animals and the ceiling is painted with scenes from mythology.
Huge pillared halls are the special and distinctive feature of this temple. Parts of the temple date back to the 6th century and the festival of Vijaynagar organised by the government of Karnataka is worth seeing.
Karkala is surrounded by hills and a lagoon. It is famous for the charming Karkala temple, Jain stupa and a gigantic statue of the Jain god, Gandharva. The temple is situated on the top of a hill with a stone staircase cut into the face of the rock of the rising hill. The Jains built this temple on top of a hill in AD 1000 to erect a memorial and place of worship to their god, the Gandharva. The rich architecture, the florid Hoysala type sculptures and the unique style of construction and architectural design of the staircases and porticos are the important characteristic of the temples of Karkala At the foot or the entrance to the Jain temple is a special set of footprints embedded in a rock that is preserved in a little shrine dedicated to the Gandharva. These footprints are unique because they are believed to be the actual impressions of the holy saint, dating back a thousand years or more.
The statue of the Gandharva is worth seeing as it is wonderfully carved out of a granite rock that rises to a height of 300 ft. The gigantic rock statue of the Gandharva is unique as it is one of the three such statues into the whole of India. Karkala is famous for another towering statue of Gomateshwara, which has a height of 43 ft. Veerapandyadeva, the king of Bairarasa family of Karkala, built this statue in 1432 AD on a rocky hill. There are life size statues of three Teerthankaras as well as one of Padmavathi Yakshi. The rulers also built Chathurmukh basadi at Karkala and famous Neminath basadi complex and the tall Manasthamba at Hariyangadi.
The temple adjacent to the Jain temple is indeed beautiful despite the neglect and years of decay. It is constructed in pure Dravidian style with a flat roof. The Buddhist influences and manifestations are evident especially in the scriptures and texts carved into the wall faces. This is an unusual feature because most of the temples do not find inscriptions carved into the wall faces. This Buddhist influence dates back to Ashokan period. The Karkala temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu. It is a pity that the temple is so neglected and decayed.
In the medieval times Bidar belonged to the Chalukyan branch who established their capital in 977 A.D. at Kalyani,57 kms away. Falling to the Yadavas of Devagiri (Daulatabad) and to the Kakatiyas of Warangal in 1322 A.D.,Bidar fully rose to prominence under the sultanate regime.
The imposing fort of Bidar is a magnificent fort,the main gateway of which was originally built by Bahamani Sultan Ahmad Shah Wali in 1429 AD. Further improvements to the citadel were carried out by the Barid Shahi Sultans. Ahmad Shah Wali (1422 - 35) the ninth Bahamani Sultan decided to shift his capital from Gulbarga to Bidar for reasons of health.
Palaces,pavilions and seraglios; lush gardens,decorated fountains and perfumed baths have all the trappings of an Arabian Nights fantasy when Bidar was ruled by the Bahamanis and the Barid Shahi Sultans of the Deccan. Sprawled on a plateau 2,200 feet above sea level and overlooking the Manjira River Valley,cool and exhilarating Bidar was most certainly a part of ancient Vidharba mentioned in the Mahabharata. The fort is surrounded by three miles of walls with 37 bastions,most of them surmounted with cannons. This fort was a source of irritation to the Mughal rulers of Delhi,and was finally conquered by Aurangazeb. The fort now lies in ruins.
Tirupati is situated at 67-km from Chittoor in the state of Andhra Pradesh,India. Tirupati is one of the important pilgrim centres in India. The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak,Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill. This historic shrine of Sri Venkateswara is famous all over the country and attracts pilgrims from all over the country who stand in line for hours together to obtain a glimpse of the presiding deity for a few fleeting seconds.
The shrine is located on a hill at Tirumala,a cluster of seven hills known as Seshachalam or Venkatachalam with an elevation of 853m (2,800ft.) above the sea level. It is said to be the richest temple in the world. This temple is a vibrant cultural and philanthropic institution with a grand history spanning several centuries.
All the great dynasties of rulers of the southern peninsula paid homage to Lord Sri Venkateswara in this ancient shrine. The Pallavas of Kancheepuram (9th century AD),the Cholas of Thanjavur (a century later),the Pandyas of Madurai,and the kings and chieftains of Vijayanagar (14th - 15th century AD) were devotees of the Lord.
Tirupathi is a fine example of dravidian temple architecture. The 'gopuram' or tower of the Tirupati Temple shows a characteristic feature of Dravidian architecture. The 'Vimana' or Cupola over the sanctum sanctorum is covered entirely with gold plate and is known as "the Ananda Nilayam". The Shrine consists of three 'Prakarams' or enclosures. The outermost enclosure contains the 'Dhvajastambha' or the banner post and,among others,the statues of Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya and his consorts,and of Todarmal,the minister of Akbar.
The idol of the deity,the full figure of Lord Venkateswara or 'Venkataramana' or 'Srinivasa' or 'Balaji' has the attributes of both Vishnu and Shiva,preserving and destroying aspects of the Hindu Trinity. Tirupathi Balaji Temple
Padi Kavali Maha Dwara
The Padi Kavali Maha Dwara or Outer Gopuram stands on a quadrangular base. Its architecture is that of the later Chola period. The inscriptions on the gopuram belong to 13th century. There are a number of stucco figures of Vaishnava gods like Hanuman,Kevale Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha on the gopuram. Sampangi Pradakshinam : The path for circumnavigating the temple is called a pradakshinam. The main temple has three prakarams. Between the outermost and middle prakarams is the second pathway for circumambulation known as the Sampangi Pradakshinam. Currently,this pathway is closed to pilgrims. The Sampangi Pradakshinam contains several interesting mandapams like the Pratima Mandapam,Ranga Mandapam,Tirumala Raya Mandapam,Saluva Narasimha Mandapam,Aina Mahal and Dhvajasthambha Mandapam.Ranga Mandapam
Ranga Mandapam,also called the Ranganayakula Mandapam,is located in the south-eastern corner of the Sampangi Pradakshinam. The shrine within it is believed to be the place where the utsava murti of Lord Ranganadha of Srirangam was kept during the 14th century,when Srirangam was occupied by Muslim rulers. It is said to have been constructed between 1320 and 1360 AD by the Yadava ruler Sri Ranganadha Yadava Raya. It is constructed according to the Vijayanagara style of architecture. Tirumala Raya Mandapam : Adjoining the Ranga Mandapam on the western side,and facing the Dhvajasthambha Mandapam is a spacious complex of pavilions known as the Tirumala Raya Mandapam or Anna Unjal Mandapam.It consists of two different levels,the front at a lower level and the rear at a higher. The southern or inner portion of this Mandapam was constructed by Saluva Narasimha in 1473 AD to celebrate a festival for Sri Venkateswara called Anna Unjal Tirunal. This structure was extended to its present size by Araviti Bukkaraya Ramaraja,Sriranga Raja and Tirumala Raja.
It is in this Mandapam,that the utsava murthi Malayappan,holds His annual darbar or Asthanam during the hoisting of the Garudadhwaja on Dhwajastambham to mark the commencement of Brahmotsavam. Incidentally,the prasadam distributed on this occasion is still called Tirumalarayan Pongal. Tirumala Raya Mandapam : The Mandapam has a typical complex of pillars in the Vijayanagara style,with a central pillar surrounded by smaller pillars,some of which emit musical notes when struck with a stone. The main pillars have rearing horses with warriors mounted on them. Some of the best sculptures of the temple are found in bold relief in the Mandapam. The bronze statues of Todermallu,his mother Matha Mohana Devi and wife Pitha Bibi,are kept in a corner of the Mandapam. The Aina Mahal : The Aina Mahal is on the northern side of the Tirumala Raya Mandapam. It consists of two parts - an open mandapam in the front consisting of six rows comprising six pillars each,and a shrine behind it consisting of an Antarala and Garbhagriha. It has large mirrors which reflect images in an infinite series. There is an unjal in the middle of the room in which the Lord is seated and festivals conducted.
Saint Ramanujacharya prescribed all the elaborate rituals and mode of worship in the temple that are still followed by the priests and devotees. Anointing the idol with camphor,and the offering by pilgrims of the hair on their heads by getting themselves shaved by licensed barbers are the important customs in vogue at Tirupati Temple.
The most famous is the annual festival called 'Brahmotsavam',which is celebrated on grand scale for nine days in September,attracting pilgrims and tourists from all parts of the country. The fifth and ninth days of the festival are especially significant in as much as Garudostavam and Rathotavam takes place on those days.
Pattadakal,situated in Karnataka,under the Chalukya Dynasty,achieved a harmonious blend of architectural forms from the north and south of India. There is an impressive series of nine Hindu temples,as well as a Jain sanctuary. The sculptural art of the early Chalukyas is characterised by grace and delicate details. The narrative reliefs illustrate various episodes from the great Hindu epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata,from the holy book - Bhagavata and tales of Panchatantra.
An impressive series of nine Hindu temples,as well as a Jain sanctuary can be seen there. Four of the temples here are in the south Indian Dravidian architectural style while four are in the north Indian Nagara style while Papanatha temple exhibits a hybrid style.
The oldest temple at Pattadakal is the Sangamesvara Temple built by Vijayaditya Satyasraya (A.D. 697-733) is a simple but a massive structure. The Temple of Virupaksha,built around 740 A.D. by Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate her husband's victory over the kings from the south is a masterpiece in itself.
Pattadakal - Mallikarjuna Temple
Another small temple with a fine figure of the Dancing Shiva with Nandi & Parvathi by his side. Built with a northern style tower,there is a horse-shoe arched projection on its facade. Virupaksha Temple The Mallikarjuna & the Virupaksha temples were built by two queens of Vikaramaditya II to commemorate the victory of the Chalukyas over the Pallavas. As the Virupaksha temple was built by Queen Lokamahadevi,it was originally called Lokeshwara. The temple is rich in sculpture like those of Lingodbhava,Nataraja,Ravananugraha & Ugranarasimha. Built in the southern Dravida style,it is the largest temple in the enclosure. Jain Temple Half a Kilometer from the enclosure,on the Pattadakal-Badami Road,is this Jain temple built in the Dravidian style. It has some very beautiful sculpture & probably dates from the ninth century.Hampi the 14th century capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire lies in the Deccan heartland,in the state of Karnataka. Hampi is situated at 74 kms from the city Bellary and 13 km from Hospet city in Karnataka. The ruins of Vijayanagar Empire in and around the village of Hampi are spread over an area of more than 26 sq kms. They are one of the most fascinating historical sites in Southern India. The best time to visit Hampi is from October to March.
It is a thriving traveler's center. The area of Hampi is protected by the tempestuous river Tungabhadra in the north and by rocky granite stones on other three sides. There is a magical quality to the ruins of Hampi even 650 years after the empire of Krishna - devaraya disintegrated.
Hampi is famous for its ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar and it is declared a World Heritage site. The monolithic sculptures and monuments along the temples are attractive because of their excellent workmanship. The architecture found at Hampi reflects the Hindu culture and splendor of the Vijaynagar Empire. The rugged landscape adds to the historic ambience of this site.
Elephant Stables,Hampi
Places of interest in Hampi are Virupaksha temple with its 50m high gopuram,Hemakunta Hill with ruins of Jain temples and a monolithic Sculpture of Narasimha,Vittala Temple,Sule Bazar,Achutaraya Temple,Purandaradasa Mandapa,Royal Center that has Lotus Mahal,the queen's bath and Elephant stables etc.Vithala Temple
The Vithala temple,which is also known as the most splendid monument of Hampi is situated on the Southern bank of the Tungabhadra River. It is a world heritage monument dating back to the 15th century and is known for its extensive sculptured work,ornate pillars and the carvings that decorate them. Built during the rule of King Devaraya(II),it shows the high perfection of the Vijayanagara style.The temple is built out of hard granite around an area of 500 by 300 feet. It has 56 pillars in the main hall,which produce musical notes when struck. In the courtyard is the life-size chariot carved out of granite with actually revolving wheels. The temple is famous for its beautifully carved gopurams and mandapas. Vithala Temple,Hampi Stone Chariot,Hampi Vithala Temple Pillar (left) and Stone Chariot Some of the inner pillars in the Mandapa contain figures of women dancers and drummers and beautiful multi-petalled lotus carvings. This is one of the most ornate Vijaynagar temples built over a period of time. Here tapping certain stone pillars produces harmonics that can only be described as ethereal,and it's something that's quite impossible to imaging until you hear a tune being tapped out on a stone carving of a drum.
The stone chariot in this temple is very famous. Its stone wheels,each shaped in the form of a lotus,are capable of revolving. Temple chariots are often mobile reproductions of a temple. The stone chariot here is in turn a static version of the mobile temple chariot. Virupaksha Temple : The Virupaksha or the Pampapathi temple is the main center of pilgrimage at Hampi. This temple is in ruins but is still in worship and is dedicated to Lord Shiva,known here as Virupaksha or Pampapati,as his wife Pampa is associated with Tungabhadra River(daughter of Lord Brahma). It is situated in picturesque surroundings on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra river to the north of Hemkuta hill. The temple has a 50 m tall,elaborately carved gateway and has been renovated in 1510 by Krishnadeva Raya. The temple has several mandaps and murals(statues). The eastern gateway is a marvel of engineering skill. The hall leading to the sanctorum has finely carved columns of animals and the ceiling is painted with scenes from mythology.
Huge pillared halls are the special and distinctive feature of this temple. Parts of the temple date back to the 6th century and the festival of Vijaynagar organised by the government of Karnataka is worth seeing.