[alphadog]

Originally Posted by dark.knight

the ancient people were only ancient by time.

We are led to believe that Human intelligence, creativity and ingenuity is advancing with the passage of time. While this may be true, looking at whats is remaining of the ancient structures and monuments, once cannot but think that the ancients were quite advanced in science, mathematics and philosophy. I am sure they knew lots more than we know today and we do not give them the due recognition. It is not easy to get perfect proportions, balance and angles in these structures, that too when working with stones and rocks weighing tonnes. We can only speculate on how they managed to achieve this. It is still a mystery.Our history is truly rich.

I feel that we have lost a lot of information in between somewhere, with the passage of time. We give too much credit to the modern, 'western',post-renaissance version of science and tech, which is probable just a small speck in the bigger scheme of things.

It is good to see efforts being made to preserve and restore some of these. There many other buildings and monuments lying scattered in our countryside which are ill- looked after and are going to be lost to future generations.

Cheerio!

[procrj]

Did a 400km daytrip yesterday to the following temples

Mallikarjuna temple – Basaralu

This temple was built in 13th Century and is a very good example of mature Hoysala construction. Structurally the temple does not seem to be in great shape as you can clearly see that the alignment is off. ASI seems to be moving things around and putting things back together to ensure that the monument is preserved.

Temple Complex





Misaligned panels


Some examples of carvings on the walls

Arjuna aiming for the fish


Durga with 22 hands


Ravana lifting kailasa


Dancing Saraswati


Dancing Shiva


Gajasura’s death


Narasimha killing Hiranyakasypu


Ishvara with a winnowing tray


East of the temple is a pillar which has a lady standing on it. Some online sources refer to this as a immolation pillar similar to the pillar at hoysaleswara temple, Halebeedu. When I spoke to the local ASI person, he mentioned that the pillar also had another figure on top of it, which was shown falling down. He mentioned that the pillar is linked to myth of how the village got its name – in kannada ‘basari aalida ooru – basaralu’ translates to village ruled by a pregnant woman.



Couple of more pics of the temple




Soumyakeshava temple – Nagamangala

This is an active temple and hence a lot of it has been modified over the years. From an artistic standpoint the temple is not a very good example of hoysala craftsmanship and hence can be skipped in the interest of time.

Couple of pics of the temple

[procrj]

Lakshminarayana Temple – Hosaholalu

Another 13th Century beauty built on a star shaped platform, this temple has been maintained well and is a must visit. I spent the maximum time here and every moment was totally worth it. The ASI person is very knowledgeable and take time to explain the various important carvings & stories on the wall.

Temple Complex






Symphony in stone


Churning of the ocean


Killing of Mareecha – the golden deer


Ravana killing Jatayu


Meeting the vanaras


Lanka burning

Ardhanarishvara

Mahisauramardhini


Kalinganardhana


Chakvavyuh


Ashwathama’ Revenge


Duryodhana vs Bheema


Panchalingeshwara Temple – Govindanahalli

Probably the only surviving temple built in the panchakuta style from the hoysala period. The five different sanctum sanctorums are connected together by a common corridor and each represent different form of lord shiva – sadyojatesvara, tatpurushesvara, vamadevesvara, aghoreshvara & ishaneshvara. Each shiva linga is different from the other and do not seem very hoysala in their appearance.

Temple Complex


Main entrance


Mahishasuramardhini


Vijaya – Dwarapalaka


Common Corridor

[procrj]

Itinerary

6.45 am - Ignition
7.45 am - Breakfast @ Swati Delicacy
9.30 am - Basaralu
10.30 am - Nagamangala
11.30 am - Hosaholalu
01.00 pm - Kikkeri (temple was closed)
01.30 pm - Govindanahalli
02.30 pm - Lunch @ A2B Udayapura
05.30 pm - Home

Road Condition

• Yeshwantpur - Yediyur - Bellur cross: 4 Laned
• Bellur cross - Nagamangala: Good 2 lane with 1 km stretch under construction. Watch out for speed breakers at every village. Minimal traffic
  

  https://youtu.be/gb6N35nCvr8

• Nagamangala - Basaralu: Beautiful 2 lane road with minimal traffic. Absolute bliss to drive on
  
• Nagamangala - KR pet - Hosaholalu SH85: Again beautiful 2 lane SH with just 1 speed breaker in the 36 km stretch. Brilliant drive as there was hardly any traffic and the road winds up & down through a couple of small inclines
  

  https://youtu.be/qDK6cqJEcuM

• KR Pet - CR Patna SH7: Good 2 lane SH again with a little more traffic as this is the Arsikere - Mysore SH